BOSTON -- As the commonwealth of Massachusetts digs itself out of a recession, Team 5 Investigates has learned there are thousands of state workers who are going to look good doing it.
Analysis of state records show in the last four years Massachusetts has spent $43,968,295.99 on clothing. The majority of those purchases are tied to longstanding union contracts, while many others are not. In this fiscal crisis, each agency is able to spend what it wants and Team 5 found there is no statewide system of oversight.
“This is an area ripe for abuse on the one hand, but certainly ripe for review,” said Rep. Bradley Jones, House Minority Leader.
The biggest spenders on clothing for state workers are the Department of Correction, which spent $15,279,561 in the last four years. State Police doled out $5,867,630.76 and the Trial Court made $1,706,350 worth of purchases.
“There are some (purchases) that are clearly justifiable, some that fall into a gray area, and some you say wait a second, this is clearly ridiculous and a waste of taxpayer money,” said Jones.
Records show the Department of Veterans’ Services spent $13,485.73 on polo shirts, pants and windbreakers for employees.
The Lottery shelled out $28,334.46 to outfit 107 workers.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation spent approximately $1,652,199 on clothing for rangers, firefighters, lifeguards and park interpreters.
And the Parole Board spent $25,011.36 on jackets for some employees and polo shirts for everyone.
“That’s half of the annual salary of someone who has probably been laid off during this fiscal crisis,” said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
Read more: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/28419956/detail.html#ixzz1RWxl2a62
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