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Article published Dec 4, 2003
Lawmakers should enact Sanford's ideas for trimming vehicle
costs
Gov. Mark Sanford and his MAP Commission have come up
with a couple of innovative ideas to trim the cost of state vehicles. These
ideas will not solve the state's financial woes on their own, but they represent
the kind of creative thinking about state finances that is needed in
Columbia.Sanford and his aides have shown not just a willingness but an
eagerness to consider changes in the way the state has always done business. And
lawmakers seem to be welcoming the changes.Too often, the state reacts to budget
pressures by enacting across-the-board budget cuts. After years of these cuts, a
smarter approach is needed, and the ideas coming from the Governor's Office
represent that new approach.These ideas came from the governor's Management,
Accountability and Performance Commission, which studied state spending and
recommended changes to improve efficiency and save money.This week, two of those
ideas have been put forth for implementation.The state Budget and Control Board
is starting a program called Golden Cars, in which the state will hold on to its
vehicles longer than the traditional use of 100,000 miles.Problem vehicles that
need regularmaintenance will still be disposed of, but older vehicles that still
run well will bekept in the fleet and used rather than replaced. This change is
expected to save the state about $2.5 million each year. It also makes sense.
The practical life of today's vehicles can be much longer than 100,000 miles.And
that state vehicle fleet will be smaller if Sanford has his way. His budget will
include a provision that would sell off a third of the state's vehicles and
lease cars for state use.The initial sale is expected to generate $33.7 million
for the state, and the change is expected to save the state another $8.5 million
annually.Lawmakers should adopt these provisions in their budgets.It's
encouraging to see the state change the way it manages its departments and to
see state officials looking for new and cheaper ways of accomplishing state
business.These steps will not save enough money to bring the budget into
balance, but they will help. And they represent the kind of changes that are
needed to keep the state from having to curtail services or increase taxes.