Seems like we’re not the only ones obsessed with automobiles, so is the U.S. government as it owns a staggering 642,233 cars. And if that’s not enough to raise an eyebrow or two, then this will; according to General Services Administration data obtained and analyzed by The Associated Press (AP), the operating costs of those vehicles that include maintenance, leases and fuel cost taxpayers $3.4 billion last year!
The report from AP notes that while most vehicles are used by officials to do their job, there are indications of mismanagement and unnecessary spending. And when we’re talking about spending we mean tens of millions of dollars every year. For example, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt’s driver earns about $90,000 a year – and who needs a college degree! But to be fair, salaries for government drivers begin from $46,000. -Continued
Another good example of the way money is wasted can be seen at a Cleveland VA medical center where a government-leased vehicle was driven a mere 16 times in a year while another one was used only twice in the three months after its arrival. And to top it all, one sedan at the center has disappeared and hasn’t been seen in months!
Check out the full article from Associated Press writer Jennifer C.Kerr by clicking the link below.
Via: Yahoo AP