COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Standing next to a man dressed in a pink pig suit at the Ohio Statehouse, representatives of two government watchdog groups released their latest "Ohio Piglet Book" Wednesday.

The Washington-based Citizens Against Government Waste and Ohio-based Buckeye Institute joined forces to produce the report on state spending.

The report concluded that the state spends hundreds of millions of dollars that are questionable at best and outright wasteful at worst.

Among the spending targeted in the report:
- $1,650,000 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio
- A state grant of $475,000 to a company to open a Chuck E. Cheese in Toledo
- A grant of $399,000 to open a new Kroger store in Lucas County

Release of the report coincided with the introduction of a bill to create the State Government Efficiency Commission. The commission would study state government and report back with findings of changes that could be made to save taxpayer dollars.

Buckeye Institute President and CEO David Hansen said the bill makes sense, especially when the state is facing such a difficult budget period.

In an interview with WHIOTV.COM, Hansen said in the private sector businesses constantly look for ways to improve efficiency and cut costs.

“We all know that this year is tough and we are all making cuts. The government doesn’t have that same pressure. The whole attitude here (the Statehouse) is we want to figure out what we want to spend and then decide the tax to meet that spending amount.”

Hansen said the federal government used the Grace Commission to review spending in the 1980’s and other states have begun performance reviews of every state agency on a regular basis.

State lawmakers who attended the release of the piglet book also announced support for a bill to create a state commission to review spending and look for government waste.

Rep. Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek was among the group endorsing the plan.

“My philosophy with a business background is that you have to look at your surroundings, do an analysis, look what is going on and adjust accordingly. It is interesting that state government does not do that. The state has not restructured itself in 50 years. I think the general philosophy that I have is smaller government and less spending. I think this is a step in that direction,” Martin said.

To read the Ohio Piglet report from the Buckeye Institute and Citizens Against Government Waste click here.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com