For Immediate Release
Contact: Luke Bolar
September 2, 2015
504-779-3771
On August 31, an Advocate article entitled, “Gubernatorial candidates focus on reducing state vehicle fleet,” featured David Vitter’s TV ad talking about eliminating thousands of unnecessary state cars. There are currently 10,832 state cars costing Louisiana taxpayers $232 million.
Vitter’s Republican Opponents, Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne, both chimed in on state cars.
What Angelle Says:
Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, R-Breaux Bridge said, “I know how to manage an auto fleet. We’ll be lean, efficient and maximize our resources.”
What Angelle Does:
- Angelle drove a state Dodge Durango paid for by Louisiana taxpayers as DNR Secretary. [1]
- Angelle receives an $8400 ($700/month) annual taxpayer funded car allowance as a PSC Commissioner. [2]
- Comparable: Leasing a Toyota Camry costs roughly $1500 per year ($130/month for 36 months)
- Comparable: Leasing a Porsche starts at $7200 (depending on model, ranges between $600-$1000/ month for 27 months)
- Figures based on truecar.com for Louisiana.
- Angelle voted to keep all of the Public Service Commission cars which are paid for by the taxpayers. There are five PSC Commissioners, but they have 14 cars. [3]
What Jay Dardenne Says:
Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, of Baton Rouge, warned against pursuing a one-size-fits-all approach. “We should examine every cost-saving possibility and implement those that save taxpayers the most money,” he said.
What Jay Dardenne Does:
- Dardenne receives $8400 ($700/month) annual taxpayer funded car allowance to drive 3.4 miles to work. [4]
- Dardenne continues to receive the allowance even though he gets driven around Louisiana by State Police. He even uses the police escort for campaign events. [5]
- Since 2007, the total Dardenne has received for his car allowance exceeds $70,000.
- Comparable: In Baton Rouge a 2016 Ford F-250 King Ranch costs $64,000
- Comparable: In Baton Rouge a 2014 Porsche SUV costs $64,000
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Citations:
1) Advocate, “Shortfall costs officials raises,” May 24, 2009.
2) Louisiana Human Resources Fringe Benefit Report, 2014
3) Link to vote
4) Letters from Dardenne to the Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater, November 17, 2010. Letter from Dardenne to the Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke LeBlance, October 30 2006.
5) Link to LSP driving Dardenne; Link to LSP driving Dardenne; Link to Dardenne admitting he uses LSP for campaign events.
