State auditor praises Ivey’s vehicle executive order

Gov. Kay Ivey signed Executive Order 728 on Tuesday to “promote efficiency and accountability in the use of state vehicles.”

“In 2017, I promised my administration would be open, honest and transparent. I recommit to you today: We will continue striving to make good on that promise,” Ivey said. “We will make much needed reforms to ensure your state government works more efficiently, is more accountable and works with more transparency. We will tighten up government.”

According to the press release, the order will “include requiring each agency to establish policies to eliminate unnecessary state vehicles and to better ensure the proper use and assignment of state vehicles for official purposes.

“Agencies will also be required to report annually to Governor Ivey’s Office concerning their use of agency vehicles and to improve oversight in the issuance of “cover tags,” or undercover license plates designed to facilitate undercover law enforcement operations. Importantly, the order directs ALDOT to eliminate the State Motor Pool by Oct. 1, 2023.”

State Auditor Andrew Sorrell commended Ivey for the decision, which he believes will cut the size of government and save taxpayer dollars.

“Governor Ivey has started her second full term off in the best possible way—signing an executive order to reduce the size of state government. I compliment her on this commonsense approach to saving taxpayer dollars,” Sorrell said in a press release.

The newly elected state auditor has already refused a state vehicle as a way to cut government waste.

“I didn’t run for state auditor so I could get my transportation paid for by the taxpayers,” he said. “My Chevy Malibu may have 240,000 miles on it, but it still runs great. When you’re trying to right-size government, I think it’s important to lead by example.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee