The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor expressed approval after the Legislature took action on recommendations to cut waste in state government.
On Tuesday, the PEER Committee released a report analyzing ways to reduce expenses across state agencies. The report focused on three issues the auditor’s office has highlighted for years.
The first issue concerns cell phone usage among state employees. In 2022, the auditor’s office reported that the state spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on cell phones that were often never activated.
The second issue involves the use of state-owned vehicles. The report suggests that Mississippi could save significant taxpayer money by selling underused vehicles held by state agencies.
Finally, the report highlighted the potential savings from eliminating unused office space and canceling wasteful leases, which could total up to $6 million.
The auditor’s office expressed its willingness to collaborate with lawmakers and agencies to address these issues and improve government efficiency.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
