LANSING – In an effort to further rein in government spending, the
Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan that prohibits state employees from using taxpayer-financed
vehicles for personal use.
"With the people of Michigan facing an unprecedented budget crisis,
this is not the time to be offering high-ranking state officials a free ride," said State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton). "Public servants making a
comfortable living should be required to pay for their own vehicles."
House Democrats proposed the plan after learning that Supreme Court and Appeals
Court judges and their staffs were given taxpayer-funded vehicles as part of their jobs, and
that these autos often were used for personal errands, such as shopping trips, golf outings and even vacations. The plan
that passed the House today also extends banning the personal use of state vehicles to the auditor general, directors of
state agencies, and other state employees.
A Detroit Free Press special report earlier this year found that the state spent more than $400,000 a year
on taxpayer-funded vehicles for seven Supreme Court justices, 28 Appeals
Court judges and 10 court staff members. The state spent nearly $49,000 on taxpayer-funded
vehicles for the auditor general and directors of state agencies, according to the Michigan Department of Management and
Budget. Eliminating these taxpayer-funded vehicles saves the state nearly $500,000 a year, based on spending in previous
years.
In addition, the savings generated through a new state program that reimburses judiciary employees for work-related
miles instead of providing vehicles for them is roughly estimated to save $259,100 a year, according to the nonpartisan
House Fiscal Agency.
"It's wrong to ask taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet to make yet another sacrifice," Spade said. "Times
are tough in Michigan, and we need to cut spending wherever we can. Ending
this perk is the right thing to do."
