A legislative committee on downsizing state government holds a public hearing in Saint Joseph Thursday morning. Chairman Paul Curtman, state representative from Union, says in its three-year history the committee has passed several bills to streamline government. It has also removed unfunded or unused laws from the books. Curtman says the committee is holding hearings around the state instead of in the capital to make it more convenient for busy residents to provide input…and new ideas.

The Saint Joseph hearing is scheduled for 9 Thursday morning in the East Hills Library. The committee will wrap up its hearings Thursday afternoon in Jefferson City.