The state of South Carolina currently owns nearly 20,000 vehicles, three times as many as Alabama and twice as many as North Carolina. Gov. Mark Sanford said that he is going to propose selling 6,100 of the vehicles as part of the executive budget that he will present to state lawmakers in January. Sanford said the state could see a one-time savings of $34 million and save $8.5 million annually. He also said many state agencies lease cars that are only used once or twice a month. He said money could be saved by renting a car or reimbursing employees who drive their own car. Sanford said he also wants to consolidate vehicle maintenance services to save money. "As a taxpayer, it always gets me a little uneasy when I see a number of cars just sitting there. If we aren't using them, let's sell them," Sanford told WYFF News 4. Sanford said the move would not affect Highway Patrol cruisers, school buses, or Department of Transportation vehicles. He hopes to use the first $25 million in savings to reduce the amount state employees must pay for health insurance. Rates are scheduled to increase dramatically next year.
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