Sunday’s Post-Dispatch had an excellent story about the use of taxpayer-funded cars for public officials. In past decades, when government employees really did make a lot less than private-sector employees, a perk like the car might have made sense. Now, with the growth of public sector salaries, it is a practice that really should be abolished. I highly recommend that you read the Post story, but keep in mind that the people cited in it are not to blame for a practice that has been going on for a long time.

The real purpose of this blog post is to note that there is a private-sector solution to this issue. The Reason Foundation has done some great work on the subject of private companies managing government vehicle fleets. It might be the right time for state, county, and city governments in Missouri to give this idea serious consideration.