MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Robert Bentley and legislators are working on consolidating some state agencies and boards.
Bentley says streamlining state government will save money. He's already got some mergers in mind, including folding the Department of Labor into the Department of Industrial Relations.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh says the planning isn't limited to the executive branch. The Legislature is working on merging its bill-writing agency, the Legislative Reference Service, with its financial agency, the Legislative Fiscal Office.
Marsh says they are also looking at whether the services of dozens of state regulatory and licensing boards can be consolidated to save on office space and staff.
Marsh says looming budget cuts have created a political climate that makes mergers possible.
