LANSING – In an effort to further rein in government spending, State Representative Bob Constan (D-Dearborn Heights) joined the Michigan House of Representatives and passed a plan that prohibits state employees from using taxpayer-financed vehicles for personal use.
"As Michigan continues to work its way out of a struggling economy and an unprecedented budget crisis, it is imperative for the state's leaders to rein in excess state spending," Constan said. "Special perks such as taxpayer-funded cars for state employees is a luxury the people of Michigan can't afford."
The plan was proposed after House Democrats learned that the Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges and their staffs were given taxpayer-funded vehicles as part of their jobs, and that these cars were used for personal errands, such as shopping trips, golf outings and even vacations. The plan that passed the House 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 judicial 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.
"We have asked Michigan's taxpayers to make sacrifices during these challenging economic times, and the last thing we should do is ask them to make even more sacrifices," Constan said. "Michigan's state leaders must be fiscally responsible with our taxpayers' dollars. Eliminating free cars for high-ranking state employees is the right thing to do for the people of Michigan."