Lt. Governor Kay Ivey Accepts Governor’s Appointment as “Challenge and Opportunity”

Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey (R-Montgomery) today said she was eager to begin serving as Chair of Governor Robert Bentley’s newly-created Alabama Commission on Improving State Government. Governor Bentley announced on Friday while speaking at PARCA’s Annual Meeting that he was establishing the Commission and appointed Lt. Governor Ivey to serve as Chair.

The Alabama Commission on Improving State Government was established by Governor Bentley’s Executive Order Number 4 on January 25th to make government more efficient, effective and responsive with “minimal or no reduction in services to citizens.”  The order further states the Commission will look at privatizing state services and streamlining processes to reduce spending. The preliminary report is due by June 1, 2011.

“I consider Governor Bentley’s appointment to the Commission on Improving State Government an honor and appreciate his confidence in me,” said the Lieutenant Governor upon her appointment.  “I also know this assignment presents both a challenge as well as an opportunity—a challenge because we face tough economic times, but an opportunity to show that we’re serious about addressing the people’s priorities of more efficient and honest state government,” she added.

Lt. Governor Ivey said her appointment as Chair signals the partnership for moving Alabama forward she and Governor Bentley discussed during the transition is alive and well.  “I’m anxious to get started. The Governor has assured me that he’s ready to implement the Commission’s recommendations efficiently and effectively. We know that spending reform is essential. Some programs are too costly and must be evaluated on an ongoing basis. Our review will be comprehensive and will not duplicate completed previous studies,” the Lieutenant Governor stated.