An Indy Star article by Michele McNeil entitledNo cut is too tiny for ‘The Blade’ reports that Governor Daniels is bragging on himself for allegedly saving the State $150 million. That’s nice, if true. But if you’re going to mention Daniels stint as White House budget director, I think the nickname “The Blade” can be used only ironically given the record breaking deficits that marked his tenure in that office.
Some of the cuts:
A little here, a little there
Here are some of the more unusual savings the Daniels administration says it found in state government:
• Agriculture: The Department of Agriculture stopped giving grants to a bed-and-breakfast, saving $100,000.
• BMV: The Bureau of Motor Vehicles stopped mailing notices for driver’s license renewals, saving $200,000, and stopped buying bottled water for offices, saving $35,000.
• DNR: The Department of Natural Resources is switching from Ford Expeditions to less-expensive Chevy Trailblazers, saving $100,000.
• Maps: Indiana road maps will be printed every two years, not annually, saving $175,000.
• Prisons: 650 Indiana prisoners living in Kentucky prisons have been moved back to Indiana, saving $6.6 million.
• Lottery: The Hoosier Lottery switched from color to black-and-white newsletters, saving $21,670 a year.
Meanwhile, Mary Beth Schneider writes of 27 legislators headed to Seattle for an NCSL conference at an expense of approximately $2,000 per person.
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