As the week began, the State Budget and Control Board unveiled a plan to use a fleet of Golden Cars, those with more than 100,000 miles on them, beginning Jan. 1. The plan is designed to save the state about $2.5 million next year.
On Tuesday, Gov. Mark Sanford revealed a plan to reduce the stable of state-owned cars by 33 percent to 40 percent, depending on whose figures one uses. The governor wants to reduce the state's fleet of cars from 15,052 vehicles to about 8,900. The governor mentioned only cars, but the state owns about 18,000 vehicles, according to the Budget and Control Board.
There is nothing wrong with state employees -- agency heads either, for that matter -- driving cars with a little age and mileage on them. After all, the state's students ride to school each day on buses which have plenty of miles. A 1999 Legislative Audit Council Report said that as of July 1, 1998, about 60 percent of the State Education Department's 5,582 buses had been driven more than 100,000 miles or were more than 10 years old; 31 percent of buses had been driven more than 150,000 miles or were more than 15 years old. Though dated, the data shows where priorities are directed. No creature comforts for these kids.
If vehicles have been well maintained, they should provide good transportation for state employees on short trips, which would be virtually anywhere in South Carolina. Round trip from Columbia to Fripp Island would be about 300 miles. The Golden Cars plan would affect about 1,800 vehicles, the Budget and Control Board said.
These changes were recommended by Gov. Sanford's Management, Accountability and Performance Commission in its 190-page study on cutting waste in state government, as was the plan the governor unveiled.
In contrast to the Palmetto State, North Carolina, which is twice the size, has about 9,600 cars. South Carolina has 38 cars for every 10,000 citizens; Tennessee has 17; Alabama, 13; and North Carolina, 12, the governor said.
The governor estimates that the sale of vehicles would generate $33.7 million and he would use the money where it is more needed. He would use $25 million to offset the costs of state employee health insurance. Following the sale, a system of leasing cars would generate about $8.5 million in annual savings, he estimates.
Next on the list should be a consolidation of maintenance. The number of facilities should be reduced drastically, too.
A $33 million one-time influx of money won't solve the state's estimated $300 million gap between revenue and expenses next year, but it means a systematic review of state expenses is under way. Who knows, $1 million here, $2 million there, $8 million elsewhere and pretty soon the state is talking about a huge pot of money.