Stay-at-home state employees

State employees are being put on strict travel rations. Again.

Only high level managers for the state are allowed out-of-state travel, and even those must be certified as “mission critical.”

Shane Strum, the governor's chief of staff, issued a Nov. 12 memo to make sure state workers remain aware of the law first passed in 2008 and passed again during the 2009 regular legislative session, and that it still applies. Minimal to no travel. These are dire financial times.

“Taxpayers' dollars include not only state general revenue and trust fund dollars but all types of Federal and grant dollars, as well,” Strum gently reminded employees.

The memo also asks employees to keep in mind that even if a non governmental entity is paying the tab, “the employees' time and salary is still a cost to the state.” Good reminder.

The memo concludes, though, with several cost-saving ideas, including carpooling with employees in other agencies, comparing costs of a rental car with the state's 44.5-cent mileage allowance for personal vehicles, and “Hotel costs should be the most economical possible which may or may not be where the actual meeting or event is being held.”

Coffee Talk will be watching when the economy returns and more robust taxes begin flowing into state coffers to see if those Vegas “conferences” are back on the menu.