Republican House leaders introduced a sweeping plan to “supercharge” state government productivity Tuesday by giving managers greater authority to fire unproductive workers, consolidate agencies and shed obsolete state laws.

House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, said the complex package would take years to accomplish but added that his two designated successors are committed to a continuing program of efficiency and cost-cutting.

“We’re looking for economy, efficiency and effectiveness in state programs,” Cretul said.

Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, in charge of streamlining the Department of Health, said the agency has become “somewhat of a dumping ground” for the Legislature over the past 15 years. She said its budget grew from $1.4 billion in 1996 to $2.9 billion and its staff rose from 2,600 authorized positions to 17,000.

House Democrats hooted at Cretul’s claim that the GOP leadership would meet tough budget times with greater efficiency in government. House Minority Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston, issued a statement noting that Republicans have held the governor’s office and both legislative chambers since 1998.

“I am thrilled that Florida Republican leaders are recognizing what Floridians have seen for a long time,” said Sands. “Republicans have done such a lousy job of running state government that even they admit it’s time ‘to do government business a new way’ for the good of our state.”

The GOP plan would include elimination of collective bargaining rights for most state employees, except those in law enforcement and public health, and would move the Department of Management Services under the Cabinet’s control. Cretul said DMS, now under the governor’s office, needs efficiencies in managing state real estate and overseeing Florida government’s personnel programs.

The GOP leaders also called for review of insurance plans, probably making all employees pay premiums. Two members have already introduced a bill requiring about 35,000 employees who get state-paid insurance to begin paying $50 a month for single coverage or $180 for family insurance.

Cretul, a NASCAR fan, introduced 14 GOP leaders he dubbed “our pit crew,” which will handle different bills dealing with agency organization, budget and contract procedures, repealing obsolete laws and rules that stand in the way of efficiency, modernizing the employee health-insurance plan, giving agencies “flexibility in managing salaries” and eliminating union bargaining for all but public safety and public-health workers.

A key part of the plan would merge the Office of Program Policy and Government Accountability with the Auditor General’s Office. Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, in charge of that merger, said the leadership wants more performance audits — OPPAGA’s specialty — rather than separate performance and financial checkups.

“I think the idea is to create a supercharged OPPAGA,” he said.