DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- The House has begun debating a government efficiency measure that supporters say could save up to $125 million a year.
House Speaker Pat Murphy says the debate beginning Thursday will likely spill into Friday and could continue next week.
The measure calls for merging smaller state agencies, streamlining some operations in larger departments and eliminating dozens of boards and commissions. It also establishes a centralized purchasing system and information technology system.
The Senate has passed a different measure estimated to save $118 million. It's likely a House-Senate conference committee will write the final version.
The measure is part of $341 million in spending cuts that Gov. Chet Culver argues are needed to close a shortfall in the budget beginning July 1.
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