State Cuts Mileage Reimbursement

Brad Shannon reports that the state is shaving a nickel off employee mileage reimbursements.

"We did this because the IRS reduced their mileage rate and the law (RCW 43.03.060) says that the state can't pay more than the IRS allows," OFM spokesman Glenn Kuper said by e-mail.

He estimated the savings at $698,000 in the general fund and $1.2 million from all other funds...

It all adds up. And this didn't require reopening the collective bargaining contract.

Too bad there's not a similar limitation on pension and health care benefits, requiring that they not be more generous than those provided the average private sector employee.