Panel looks toward efficient government

A panel of Montana legislators will meet in Kalispell this week to discuss efficiency in government with local officials, health care and technology experts and the public.

The 12-member Select Committee on Efficiency in Government, chaired by state Sen. Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell, will meet at the Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology building Monday and Tuesday.

“I think it’s really exciting that we’re going to be coming into Kalispell for our first efficiency meeting,” said Sonju, who with fellow committee member Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Somers, sponsored the legislation that established the committee.

That legislation passed with strong bipartisan support, even though it came with a $100,000 price tag during a frugal session.

Sonju is confident the committee will find substantial savings by closely reviewing the way the state does business.

“Our end goal is to make a list of recommendations to the next governor and the next Legislature,” he said.

After an organizational meeting starting at 10 a.m. Monday, the committee will have a discussion with Kalispell Mayor Tammi Fisher and City Manager Jane Howington.

The committee will hear from a panel of technology experts from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and there will be a public comment period from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., followed by an additional discussion on efficiencies in technology.

“I think there are huge, huge savings to be found in technology,” Sonju said.

On Tuesday, there will be a primer on the state’s Medicaid system starting at 8:30 a.m., followed by a discussion with a panel of health-care experts from 9 to 10 a.m. Public comment will be heard from 10:15 a.m. to noon.

“Our health care and human services are a big expense to the state,” Sonju said. “Whether you think it’s overfunded or underfunded, we’re strictly looking at efficiencies there.” 

The committee also plans to look into other subjects such as natural resources and priority budgeting. The committee will visit other Montana cities in the months to come.

“My thought is that every city we go out to is to get input from local governments,” Sonju said. “A big portion of this is for people to access their representatives. It’s a good opportunity for the citizens of the Flathead to access members of the Legislature.”

Also serving on the committee are Sen. Edward Buttrey, R-Great Falls; Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena; Sen. Jim Keane, D-Butte; Sen. Edward Walker, R-Billings; Sen. David Wanzenreid, D-Missoula; Rep Ron Ehli, R-Hamilton; Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena; Rep. Pat Noonan, D-Butte; Rep. Scott Reichner, R-Bigfork; and Rep. Kathleen Williams, D-Bozeman.

“I’m excited about it,” Sonju said. “I’m excited about the savings that we can work toward in a bipartisan manner. I think it’s a very refreshing change from politics.”

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.