Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, (573)751-0290
Blunt Attacks Wasteful Spending Policies
Leasing Consolidation Banks More Than $1 Million
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt’s common sense initiatives have replaced wasteful spending policies of the past to save Missouri taxpayers millions in excess leasing and utility payments.
"Missouri taxpayers should be offended. Their hard-earned tax dollars were being thrown away on expensive leases while perfectly good state-owned space went underutilized and even sat vacant," Blunt said. "We are making responsible changes to deliver Missourians the efficient, effective and responsible state government they deserve but have been denied in recent years."
Under Blunt’s guidance, Office of Administration (OA) Commissioner Mike Keathley has implemented dramatic changes that will save taxpayers from wasteful spending and could add up to millions of dollars in savings over time.
Recently Keathley has eliminated $1.2 million in unnecessary and unneeded lease contracts and utility expenses.
"Leasing space just didn’t make sense," Keathley said. "We have state owned facilities; we should use them before paying to borrow space from private owners."