Policy-makers focus on state vehicle abuses

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Henry plans to keep his GMC Denali. But officials say the trend in state government is away from sport utility vehicles and other gas guzzlers. <br/><br/>The director of the

Sunday, October 23rd 2005, 12:20 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Henry plans to keep his GMC Denali. But officials say the trend in state government is away from sport utility vehicles and other gas guzzlers.

The director of the state Department of Central Services, John Richard, says the high price of fuel is one reason for the shift. Another is a critical state audit that prompted legislation to give the the agency new authority to regulate the state vehicle fleet.

The audit questioned the need for more than 200 SUVs being used by state agencies and estimated that 14,000 vehicles were under utilized.

Officials say selling excess vehicles and better management could save up to 21 million a year.

The governor's SUV is provided by the Department of Public Safety for security purposes.