The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Editorials

October 20, 2009

Crackdown

<b>Calling for accountability on the use of state vehicles noble, but nothing new</b>

Legislative auditors have issued another storm warning — this time dealing with the use, and apparent abuse, of state-owned vehicles.

An audit discovered that 90 of 494 state employees using state vehicles to commute to and from work did not report any of that use as a fringe benefit in 2008 for the purpose of tax withholding, as is required by the Internal Revenue Service.

Under-reporting by many of the 400 others was also detailed in the audit, as were glaring points which surmise that the state really has no grasp on the use and mileage being put on the fleet of vehicles, which numbers close to 7,000 and costs the state between $60 and $70 million annually, including $24 million in fuel.

The report also questions why, and if, many state employees actually need or should have use of the vehicles.

Among those 90 aforementioned officials are State Treasurer John Perdue, Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass and Bluefield State College President Albert Walker.

Perdue and Walker were savvy enough to tell the legislative auditors they will comply with the rules. Smart. But Douglass apparently believes he falls under the exemption for law enforcement officials.

Auditors don’t agree with Douglass’ take on this and we’re having a hard time finding any reason why the agriculture commissioner feels he is exempt. When’s the last time you saw Gus giving a cow a ticket for running a stop sign?

We actually have an inherent problem with how government vehicles are utilized by all public employees, not just the state, when it comes to private use and commuting. Looking deeper, that’s quite a perk if you ask us — especially when it’s not being properly reported.

That said, it’s kind of difficult to get a grip on the real magnitude of this issue, but, after the report was released to lawmakers last week, it quickly got the attention of the Manchin administration.

The governor held meetings with his cabinet and department heads Monday, they continued again Tuesday, and it’s clear Manchin wants accountability.

Good, but wait.

This is not the first time this issue has come to light and been the subject of controversy. During the gubernatorial tenures of both Gaston Caperton and Bob Wise, measures aimed at eliminating abuse of state vehicles were enacted.

We guess state officials, plenty who were around then and still are in some capacity, just didn’t learn or had no recollection of the problems.

Hopefully, this time, Manchin puts checks in place that will lead to effective monitoring of the fleet. If he does, millions are likely to be saved and hundreds of public employees will become compliant with the tax laws, as they well should.

Text Only
Editorials
  • Drug screening

    When it comes to coal mine safety issues, representatives of the United Mine Workers often are leading the way.

    February 10, 2012

  • This is why

    Operation of Fayette schools
    won’t return to local control  
    until there is some consensus

    February 9, 2012

  • MSU

    Mountain State University is at a critical crossroads and southern West Virginians need to step up and show their support for the school and its hundreds of students and employees.

    February 8, 2012

  • MSU

    Community needs to show its support for our university

    February 8, 2012

  • If you don’t think so, you’d better think again

    EPA regulations turning the screw on coal industry

    February 7, 2012

  • Airport projects crucial

    Tom Cochran and others at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport can breathe a little easier, or at least take a deep breath and exhale, after word came from Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s office last week that a deal has been struck between the two chambers in Congress to authorize long-term funding, into 2015, for the Federal Aviation Administration.

    February 5, 2012

  • Thumbs — Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

    February 4, 2012

  • It’s not a choice

    Whether a bill to eliminate tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike when the current bonds expire some eight years from now is passed by the Legislature and signed into law or not, one thing is absolutely certain — the state Transportation Department has the responsibility to maintain that 88-mile stretch of Interstate highway.

    February 3, 2012

  • On the shelf

    A Senate bill (SB168) offered by 13 of the upper chamber’s members that would have given counties the option to boost the pay of county commissioners, sheriffs, county and circuit clerks, assessors and prosecuting attorneys by at least $10,000 each has apparently been shelved and will do nothing but draw dust this legislative session.

    February 2, 2012

  • The time is now

    Drug abuse.

    February 1, 2012