Proposal Would Expand Legislators Review of Budget, Finances

Legislation that would give Senators and House members a bigger voice in state financial matters has been introduced by House Majority Leader Glen Casada and Sen. Ken Yager, who chairs the Fiscal Review Committee and the Senate State and Local Government Committee. WKRN.com reports that the bill (HB 2096/SB 2122) requires fiscal review staff to cite sources in making estimates for fiscal notes, calls for establishment of an appeals process for members and requires top agency officials to testify about any financial information that has been provided by their agencies. It would also give legislators more input in the budget process, by adding dedicated budget staff and empowering the body to create its own budget.