Auditor General Jack Wagner last month released a report criticizing the Department of General Services' oversight of the state's car fleet. I was not shocked by snafus that included "weak leadership, incomplete record-keeping and little accountability in how cars were being assigned and maintained."

What jacked me up was that the state vehicle fleet weighed in at 16,637 vehicles at an annual cost of $72.5 million!

Then I found out that Dan Surra got a car for he's newly created job as eco-minister of tourism. A 2004 Chevy Impala. Remember, no whining.

With a looming multibillion deficit and 2,000 jobs on the cutting table, it's time to ditch the state's auto dealership.

If everything is on the table, let's put people before cars.

We should eliminate state lease benefits for employees. Really, is a state leased 4x4 necessary to make the adventurous trek from Camp Hill to a reserved parking space under the Capitol?

Wagner's report prompted Sen. Mike Folmer (R- Lebanon) to request the state inspector general investigate whether executive branch officials paid taxes on their state cars.
While we're at it, let's ask the inspector general to investigate how many state cars end up at political fundraisers, golf tournaments or Beaver Stadium.

Good news: There is a precedent for auto reform, and the state senate is already halfway there.

In July 2006, the Senate Committee on Management Operations adopted a new policy whereby senators will have to drive their own vehicles, but mileage costs will be reimbursed. Senators still have the option of driving a car that belongs to the state, but taxpayer subsidies of up to $600 a month have been eliminated.

We should start with a proximity law for government officials. If you live within 50 miles of the Capitol, a state lease is not an option. And if these are truly state cars, then weekends, holidays and vacations should require you to park you car in a state lot.

If all else fails, we'll need to embarrass the governor into action and allot cars based on job description. The Secretary of Agriculture should drive a tractor, the Secretary of Banking should repossess an auto, and the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development should drive a garbage truck.

Oh yeah, and wouldn't it be nice if the chief law enforcement officer observed the speed limit in his free state vehicle?

Eric Epstein is a watchdog and advocate for consumers, good government and safe energy. For more about Epstein, click here.