Assemblywoman Urges Governor to Reduce State Fleet

By Tara Fantini

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini has called for Governor Jon Corzine to reduce the number of government issued vehicles. This request would be in addition to the decision to cancel more than 1,000 state-issued gasoline cards which this year alone cost the state nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

“For the past several years, New Jersey has faced chronic budget deficits,” explained Angelini, R-Monmouth. “Putting the breaks on these gas cards will save the state a significant amount of taxpayer dollars, but we should also look to significantly reduce the fleet of state-issued vehicles.” Angelini’s request came in response to the media’s report that due to the state’s dire economic situation, officials cancelled more than 1,000 government-issued gasoline cards for state employees. The cards were intended for emergency use only, however, officials said they were often used in non-emergency situations.

Last year state workers purchased 308,000 gallons of gasoline at Sunoco and Gulf stations at a cost of $2 per gallon. Employees are supposed to fill up at state filling stations which cost the state $1.23 per gallon. Had they done so, the state would have saved $240,000.

“This recession has forced us to review all cost cutting options and I couldn’t agree more with the decision to eliminate this wasteful program,” said Angelini. “In addition, it is essential that the state review all employees with access to state-owned vehicles to determine unnecessary usage to identify further savings.”There are currently 15,544 state vehicles issued to state employees. This is an increase of 144 since January 2007.

Angelini added that eliminating a portion of the fleet and placing a moratorium on purchasing additional vehicles, apart from state police vehicles, would save the state millions by eliminating the cost of new vehicles and cutting fuel costs.

TARA FANTINI can be reached via email at tfantini@njleg.org.