Monitor state travel spending

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With South Carolina in the third year of a grueling budget crisis, it's imperative that state officials reduce any spending for frills — such as unnecessary travel by state employees. Officials should take their cue from private-sector companies and school districts, many of which have cut back sharply even on worthwhile travel expenses.

The good news is that state spending on travel is in decline, falling by 7.6 percent for the year ending in July, as reported by Greenville News reporter Tim Smith. But state agencies still spent $32 million on travel. Sixteen agencies increased travel spending, some by more than 20 percent.

Certainly some of those expenses are necessary. But Smith also provided some eye-opening facts that should prompt a thorough review of spending, particularly for out-of-state travel. In the past 10 months, 14 state officials spent more than $10,000 for out-of-state travel, and three spent more than $17,000 this year. In all, 72 state officials spent more than $5,000 to attend training, meetings and conferences.

While on trips, some state employees spent more than $200 a night at luxury hotels. Those expenses are hard to justify when the state can't find enough money to adequately fund prisons, schools and law enforcement.

Gov. Sanford has made it his mission to identify inefficiencies in government and he's got his eye on travel spending. Recently, he suggested state workers could save money by using the federal lodging rate for hotels and asking state employees to share hotel rooms.

Sanford's spokesman lashed out at education officials who "were still taking trips to conventions at the beach." Abuse of travel, however, surely is not limited only to the state Education Department. Sanford should order department heads under his own authority to screen all travel requests to ensure they're absolutely essential.

State Sen. David Thomas, meanwhile, said he would request a Legislative Audit Council review of state travel spending, which certainly is the right approach.

The state also should centralize travel management by contracting with a travel agency. Such a measure was proposed by the governor's efficiency task force called the MAP Commission. The state could reap economies of scale by having one agency manage travel, the commission said.

Certainly some out-of-state travel can be defended as a wise investment in the training and education of state workers. A well-trained employee actually may save the state money in the future. Other state officials, such as Agriculture Secretary Charlie Sharpe, travel to promote South Carolina products. Still others try to bring new businesses and investment to South Carolina.

But with school and prison budgets being slashed, every dollar spent on travel — especially out-of-state travel — must be fully justified.