Gov. Martin O?Malley?s decision to ask Cabinet secretaries to trim $200 million from the state budget will set the state on the path to being more fiscally responsible. But let?s ensure the “cutting” actually saves money.
Labor Secretary Tom Perez earlier this week made a number of good suggestions to trim his budget, including requiring employees to self-book flights on discount airlines. That this is not already common practice highlights how slowly government adopts change. Discount giant Southwest Airlines started flying out of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in 1993 and is the airport?s largest carrier. Hello?
But one of his ideas makes no sense ? giving employees credit cards. Is he crazy? The vast majority of the rest of us have to cover business expenses with our own money and document them to get reimbursement from our employers.
This may be a pain, but it subjects receipts to a thorough accounting review. Making it easier to purchase items with a taxpayer-financed credit card makes it easier to commit waste or fraud. Perez should leave this savings idea off his list.
