Loftis transition agenda targeting state-issued vehicles?
When he won the GOP nomination for Treasurer last month, Curtis Loftis promised to work quickly on planning a transition and setting an agenda for taking office in January. Yesterday, he reminded us of that plan with an email update:
Summer is heating up in South Carolina, and so is our transition process. We are in transition mode; new staff, new goals, and examining the duties of State Treasurer. Since June 8th, we have put forth a considerable effort building a second-to-none team of the brightest, most energetic individuals who will help turn our campaign ideals to reality.
Over the next several months our team will begin meeting with members of the Budget & Control Board, Board of Financial Institutions, and the State Treasurer’s Office with the goal of developing our game plan for bringing reform to state government. On January 12, 2011 we will be prepared with a plan to deliver on our campaign promises.
But that's not the only sign that he's getting ready to make a stir. According to the Rock Hill Herald, Treasurer-elect Loftis is continuing to challenge the often-discussed policy of state-issued vehicles for constitutional officers, an issue he raised during his successful primary campaign:
Loftis says it's time to get rid of such perks for elected officials, though for security reasons, he makes an exception for the governor, who is driven by law enforcement agencies. Loftis pledges to drive his own car when he takes office in January, though he plans to get reimbursed for work mileage, such as to banks and county finance officers. He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid but is car shopping.
Thiis has been a long-standing issue made by some past constitutional officers. Former Lt. Governor Bob Peeler turned in his state-owned car upon taking office, opting to get around in his pickup truck and former Treasurer Thomas Ravenel also passed on a state-owned car during his tenure in office.
We talked with Loftis, he said he had not planned on discussing the “perks issue” till after inauguration, but when a reporter brought up the issue, he felt it was time to take advantage of the opportunity to outline his position on the issue:
Loftis told us that closer look at the issue showed that those given state cars rarely keep a log of their miles driven, making it impossible to audit their mileage. Also, the true cost of the car is rarely known as the monthly lease price may be publically discussed but not other cost such as mileage (approximately 25 cents per mile), fuel, or maintenance… so the cost is hidden from the public.
Loftis saw this as fitting into his campaign's focus upon promoting accountability, transparency and efficiency in government:
Sounds like Loftis has a busy agenda planned, so we'll be staying tuned ...
Elected officials should be givers, not takers. They should seek to relieve the taxpayers of burdens, not add to them. Taxpayers provide their own transportation to and from work, to vacations, to political meetings, to lunch and dinner and to other personal events - and so should elected officials.
Loftis told us that closer look at the issue showed that those given state cars rarely keep a log of their miles driven, making it impossible to audit their mileage. Also, the true cost of the car is rarely known as the monthly lease price may be publically discussed but not other cost such as mileage (approximately 25 cents per mile), fuel, or maintenance… so the cost is hidden from the public.
Loftis saw this as fitting into his campaign's focus upon promoting accountability, transparency and efficiency in government:
This issue speaks directly to all three concerns. Anyone driving these cars and defending this practice should post the ENTIRE cost of ownership (including mileage, maintenance, a copy of the lease, etc) on their website…it simply is the right thing to do and in doing so they will show themselves to be transparent, accountable and efficient.
Sounds like Loftis has a busy agenda planned, so we'll be staying tuned ...
Thank you Mr. Loftis for sticking to your campaign promises, we RARELY see politicians do it! Keep up the good work and best of luck on the transition process.