Keet: Questioning the number of commuters in state-owned vehicles.
According to data received by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the state of Arkansas owns 8,653 vehicles. Approximately 1,000 of the vehicles are used for commuting, according to the data from the state Department of Finance and Administration, and the state Highway and Transportation Department.
Republican Jim Keet, a restaurant owner from Little Rock who is running against Gov. Mike Beebe in this year’s election, has called for a ban on elected officials and state employees’ use of state vehicles to commute.
“It’s inexcusable this had gone on for 3 1 /2 years under the governor’s watch,” Keet said at a recent news conference. “In the Keet administration, these abuses would be brought to a screeching halt. Period.”
But Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the state allowing people to drive vehicles home doesn’t equate to abuse, and that 4,603 vehicles are from entities not under the governor’s direction — agencies such as colleges and universities, the Game and Fish Commission, the Highway Department, and the Legislature and elected officials.
State law allows only 7,771 state-owned vehicles, but the law also allows agencies to exceed the limits through a governor declaration. Beebe has issued 21 such declarations allowing agencies to purchase more vehicles than the limit.
From April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010, it cost $17.3 million to maintain, repair, fuel and insure the state fleet.
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Why are the taxpayers paying for this? Regular people have to tighten their belts and drive less in this economy, what makes the state immune? Oh that’s right they have the power to take our money before we ever see it.
It is unfair to paint all state employees who have the priveledge of a state owned vehicle with the same broad brush. There are certainly employees who not only use those vehicles for commuting but also as first responders in emergencies and other such situations. As long as taxes are paid by those employees as is mandated by law, they should be able to have those vehicles at their disposal. Not every employee is “abusing” the system.
Lisa, how old are you? Are you employed? Are you a Democrat or Republican? Answer these three questions and you will have the right answer. Have a nice day. Coach
Lisa, while voting with the majority for a ban, I can also appreciate your comment…there are applications i.e., Game Wardens, that would and should be considered. Although I voted with the majority on this subject I do agree with your comment. I certainly agree it is something that should be looked into and assessments made as to job requirements. Agreements should be made with the job positions and pay allowances for car uses with records kept “daily.” A department head that sits on his butt throughout most of the day should not have a tax payer office car! Depending on his position maybe allowances for mileage driven in performing his duties?
all the assessments of need should have been handled as a matter of routine when each vehicle is brought into the department. if it wasn’t, the supervisor should shoulder the blame.