State Senator Gregg Ball was recently appointed to Governor Cuomo's Spending and Government Efficiency Commission. The group's mission is to make the state governemtn more efficient by reducing the number of state agencies, authorities and commissions by 20%.

On the web site www.youcutalbany.com (YOU CUT ALBANY: Citizens Cutting Government Waste), anyone can offer his/her own ideas or vote on proposals posted. Registration is a simple process and allows for your ideas. Currently, there are five spending items that are eligible to be voted on:

1. Cut Taxpayer Funded "Ambulette" and Taxi Rides for Non-Emergency Medical Visits
2. Cutting Number of “Deputy Commissioners” By 50%
3. Repeal Increases in New York State Welfare
4. Cut Taxpayer Expenditures Caused by Welfare and Medicaid Fraud
5. Requiring Health Care Co-Pays from Prison Inmates