In his first nine months in office, Mr. Sanford and his staff have reduced the number and cost of flights on state aircraft, compared to those of his predecessor, by nearly $10,000. And current expenditures are about half those of former Gov. David Beasley in 1995, during his first nine months in office, The Associated Press found.

While the savings may be viewed as negligible in a $5 billion budget, they help create a climate of frugality in state government, providing some assurance that public funds are being carefully spent. The declining expense of air travel by the state's top officials in recent years demonstrates what public disclosure can accomplish.

The state began cutting those costs after the Legislative Audit Council revealed that South Carolina had one of the largest air fleets in the region, despite being the smallest Southern state. Gov. Sanford has continued the trend by killing a Commerce Department contract for a private jet that had cost the state more than $600,000 in management fees since 2000.

Under the governor's direction, the state will sell two more aircraft, expecting to realize more than $1 million from the sale, as well as an annual savings of $120,000 in operation and maintenance.

The AP report shows that other top elected officials also are economizing on travel. The number of flights has declined from 209 in 2001 to 96 last year.

The most recent cuts were recommended by the governor's Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance. The savings should encourage approval of other MAP commission cost-cutting travel recommendations, such as following federal standards that set a maximum rate for hotel rooms used by state employees.

In general, state officials should expect to travel economy class all the way when they do so at public expense.

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