NASHVILLE - Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam said today that, if elected, he will launch a "top-to-bottom review" of state government to ferret out waste, create efficiencies and find savings to help overcome projected budget gaps.
"It's critical that this be done right," Mr. Haslam, who is Knoxville's mayor, said in a news release. "While the budget situation awaiting the next governor will certainly be challenging, we have to view this as an opportunity to fundamentally rethink the role of state government and make things better for the future."
He said the review "is the first step on the road to a leaner and more efficient, effective, and accountable state government. We must set priorities and be prepared to make tough decisions. Given my experience as a successful business leader and mayor of a large city, I am ready to take on this challenge."