Recently, Gov. Sanford’s travel expenses have been under scrutiny ap article 07.21.09. I don’t mind at all examining the governor’s travel expenses, but if we are, let’s look at all travel expenses paid for by the taxpayer.
Here is the budget proviso prohibiting first class airline tickets. The language doesn’t prohibit business class, envoy class, more politically correct than first class, etc., but notice the sentence about most economical mode of transportation. Here are the facts, you decide.
excerpt:
J….In traveling on the business of the State, employees are required to use the most economical mode of transportation, due consideration being given to urgency, schedules and like factors.
Mileage between an employee’s home and his/her place of employment is not subject to reimbursement. However, when an employee leaves on a business trip directly from his/her home, and does not go by the employee’s headquarters, the employee shall be eligible for reimbursement for actual mileage beginning at his/her residence.
K. That a state agency may advance travel and subsistence expense monies to employees of that agency for the financing of ordinary and necessary travel required in the conducting of the business of the agency. The Budget and Control Board is directed to develop and publish rules and regulations pertaining to the advancing of travel expenses and no state agency shall make such advances except under the rules and regulations as published. All advances for travel and subsistence monies shall be repaid to the agency within thirty (30) days after the end of the trip or by July 15, whichever comes first.
L. That the state institutions of higher learning are authorized to reimburse reasonable relocation expenses for new employees when such reimbursements are considered by the agency head to be essential to successful recruitment of professionally competent staff members.
M. The State Budget and Control Board is authorized to promulgate and publish rules and regulations governing travel and subsistence payments.
N. No state funds may be used to purchase first class airline tickets.
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