A new initiative called PennSAVE was launched earlier this year to find ways to save taxpayer dollars by cutting waste and inefficiencies in state government.

PennSAVE stands for savings, accountability, value and efficiency.

PennSAVE was created with the belief Pennsylvanians should not be asked to send more money to Harrisburg until state government has explored every practical option for cutting costs.

I invite residents of the 131st District to participate in the initiative by submitting ideas and strategies for how to reduce the cost of government.

They can do so by visiting my website, RepSimmons.com, and selecting the “PennSAVE” banner.

Residents can also submit written suggestions at one of my district offices aT 21 N. Main St., Unit 9, Coopersburg; 191 Main St., Suite 104 Emmaus; and 56 N. Fourth St., 2nd floor, Red Hill.

The initiative is run by a special subcommittee of the House Majority Policy Committee.

The group is researching potential cost-saving measures across state government, including possible state agency and program consolidation; unaddressed audit findings; government procurement policies and “corporate welfare,” as well as overall waste, fraud and system abuse.

In addition to the public component, PennSAVE will also include coordination with other state House and Senate committees, as well as the governor’s office and its executive agencies, in order to solicit suggestions.

It is time to hit the reset button and start the state budget process over – this time, in the best interest of hard-working taxpayers. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Editor’s note: Justin Simmons is the state representative for the 131st Legislative District. In Lehigh County this includes Coopersburg, Emmaus and the townships of Lower Milford, Salisbury (Part Ward 3, Part Division 1), Upper Milford and Upper Saucon. In Montgomery County, this includes East Greenville, Pennsburg, Red Hill and Upper Hanover Township. And Lower Saucon Township (Districts 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8) in Northampton County.