LANSING – In an effort to further rein in government spending, the
Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan sponsored by State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Simpson) that prohibits state employees from using
taxpayer-financed vehicles for personal use.
"Taxpayer-funded vehicles for judges with comfortable incomes are not something the people of
Michigan can afford," said Simpson.
"Michigan residents have been asked to sacrifice enough.
The time has come to end this unfair practice of requiring residents to pay for personal 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.
