Brown seeks help targeting government waste

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Gov. Jerry Brown has asked the state auditor to help him find ways to cut the state budget.

In a letter to State Auditor Elaine Howell, Brown asked her to ‘send me a list of the top ten actions you believe California can take to reduce government waste and operate more efficiently. If possible, I would like your list by March 4, 2011, and I would like that list to identify at least five measures that I could implement by Executive Order.’

Republicans have called on Brown to target waste and fraud in state government instead of asking for billions in new taxes. Brown has said the state’s $25.4-billion budget gap cannot be bridged without increased tax revenues.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento