'Another mismanaged state government perk'

State workers and officials are driving around in 16,637 vehicles at a cost to the taxpayers of $73 million to buy, maintain, fuel and insure them.

A report by the Pennsylvania Auditor General questioning the state's management of its vehicle fleet has prompted calls by The Mercury for more accountability.

From an editorial in today's edition:

This latest report offers an example of the damage that Harrisburg's culture of unmanaged spending on state government has wrought on the state coffers.

Wagner and state Attorney General Tom Corbett have been spearheading efforts to clean up the corruption and waste in Harrisburg, but there is still a long way to go.

Now is the time for the Legislature to begin reforming itself first and foremost and initiate a movement of trickle-down honesty, efficiency and watchful spending.

Imagine what the Commonwealth could become if an example of modest sacrifice and accountability came from the state Capitol.

Getting a firm grip on managing the state's fleet of vehicles is a good place to start.

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS