- Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician who currently serves as the 39th Governor of California since 2011; he previously served as California's 34th Governor from 1975 to 1983.
- Born: April 7, 1938 (age 76), San Francisco, CA
- Spouse: Anne Gust (m. 2005)
- Office: Governor of California since 2011
- Parents: Pat Brown, Bernice Layne Brown
- Siblings: Kathleen Brown, Barbara Layne Brown, Cynthia Arden Brown
- Education: Yale Law School, Santa Clara University, University of California, Berkeley
Gov. Jerry Brown, facing a projected budget shortfall of $12.5 billion, is changing the way California’s government will communicate and travel.
Brown, in a sweeping executive order, called for a freeze on purchases of vehicles, including planes, buses, motorcycles, and construction equipment. Brown will require state staff to determine if the vehicles are being fully utilized for the benefit of the state’s mission. Government employee cellphone needs will also be reviewed.
In the executive order, the governor “proposes to close the state’s structural budget deficit in a balanced and sustainable manner, in part through substantial reductions in state operational expenses.”
Brown stated, “There is a lot of wasteful spending on cars that aren’t even driven.”
The “governor’s 2011–2012 budget proposes to cut state operational expenses by reducing waste and promoting efficiencies.”
How deep is the governor willing to go? “Fifty percent is a starting point. If we find more waste, we’ll make more cuts.”
As a first step, Brown proposed a purchase freeze and assessment from all departments. Underutilized vehicles and phones may be transferred to departments that need additional units and can better utilize the resources.
Related Articles
Brown’s order stated the inventory of “more than 50,000 vehicles and mobile equipment … annually uses more than $90 million in fuel and incurs tens of millions of dollars in other operating expenses.” Additionally, over 4,500 vehicles are used by employees 24/7, and will require a review to determine if this is justifiable.
The order identified more waste, stating that "state agencies report that thousands of vehicles are underutilized each year," and state agencies and departments will have 120 days to relinquish nonessential or cost-inefficient vehicles and equipment after “their analysis and plans are approved by the Department of General Services.”
The requirement to reduce 50 percent of the current over 50,000 vehicle fleet through freezing new purchases and immediate sales will have a ripple effect into the private sector.
Cellphones on the Chopping Block
The governor further questioned the need for 96,000 government cellphones in the hands of state employees. There are 205,738 active full-time state employees resulting in about one cellphone per two employees. If another 121,000 California State University system employees are included, this comes to about one government cellphone for every three employees
Brown, in a sweeping executive order, called for a freeze on purchases of vehicles, including planes, buses, motorcycles, and construction equipment. Brown will require state staff to determine if the vehicles are being fully utilized for the benefit of the state’s mission. Government employee cellphone needs will also be reviewed.
In the executive order, the governor “proposes to close the state’s structural budget deficit in a balanced and sustainable manner, in part through substantial reductions in state operational expenses.”
Brown stated, “There is a lot of wasteful spending on cars that aren’t even driven.”
The “governor’s 2011–2012 budget proposes to cut state operational expenses by reducing waste and promoting efficiencies.”
How deep is the governor willing to go? “Fifty percent is a starting point. If we find more waste, we’ll make more cuts.”
As a first step, Brown proposed a purchase freeze and assessment from all departments. Underutilized vehicles and phones may be transferred to departments that need additional units and can better utilize the resources.
Related Articles
- Jeffrey Skilling’s Son Found Dead in California Apartment
- California Grapples With High Recidivism Rate
Brown’s order stated the inventory of “more than 50,000 vehicles and mobile equipment … annually uses more than $90 million in fuel and incurs tens of millions of dollars in other operating expenses.” Additionally, over 4,500 vehicles are used by employees 24/7, and will require a review to determine if this is justifiable.
The order identified more waste, stating that "state agencies report that thousands of vehicles are underutilized each year," and state agencies and departments will have 120 days to relinquish nonessential or cost-inefficient vehicles and equipment after “their analysis and plans are approved by the Department of General Services.”
The requirement to reduce 50 percent of the current over 50,000 vehicle fleet through freezing new purchases and immediate sales will have a ripple effect into the private sector.
Cellphones on the Chopping Block
The governor further questioned the need for 96,000 government cellphones in the hands of state employees. There are 205,738 active full-time state employees resulting in about one cellphone per two employees. If another 121,000 California State University system employees are included, this comes to about one government cellphone for every three employees