Montgomery, AL – Democratic candidate for governor Artur Davis says the next governor could cut waste and save more then $500 million by copying ideas that have worked in other states.
Davis held a news conference Monday in Montgomery, where he called for more aggressive prosecution of Medicaid fraud, more tax auditors to collect unpaid taxes, the elimination of no-bid state contracts, and a reduction in the outsourcing of state government work.
He also called for retrofitting state buildings to save energy costs and more efficient management of state vehicles.
Davis said cost savings are necessary because the next governor will face a serious financial crisis exceeding $1 billion.
Davis is running against state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks in the Democratic primary in June.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)