FOX 2 Detroit news reported yesterday that the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid leased by the federal government for Congressman John Conyers, D-Mich., was broken into while in the possession of Conyers' 20-year-old son. Two Apple MacBooks and $27,000 worth of concert tickets were boosted.
Several questions may be running through your mind, such as why the congressman's son was driving a government-owned vehicle when doing so is expressly prohibited under the congressional car program rules? But you may also be wondering about that congressional car program and how on Earth it manages to include a $76,000 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid? And now you're no doubt wondering who the hell would ever buy a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid for $76,000?
Can't help you with the last one, but for the others, follow the jump
This is a topic I first looked into on Edmunds Daily back in July 2009 and it all started with a story from here in California. Then, as in now, the Golden State is broke and its government is too dysfunctional to do anything about it. Yet that apparently doesn't stop state senators from getting pricey luxury cars with tax dollars. This matter came to light when the Los Angeles Times reported that state legislators had agreed to a 18-percent reduction in car allowances while also publishing the 10 most expensive cars driven by state senators.
While some of these senators have since been termed out or given $575 worth of Britney Spears tickets from AT&T lobbyists (and were still re-elected!), the below list is a snapshot of the most expensive cars owned by legislators back in '09, which included a slew of $50,000 luxury cars and hybrids.
California is one of two states (Texas is the other) that has a taxpayer-funded car program for legislators. In theory, it makes sense. Their states and districts are huge, and since they aren't paid a great deal, giving them a car to meet their constituents is acceptable. It's the same concept as giving salesmen a company car. Of course, the Michael Scotts of this world get Chrysler Sebrings, not a Cadillac STS or Lexus RX 400h (or a non-existent LX 400 Hybrid -- either the LA Times screwed up or there's horrible book keeping at play here too).
The program is very hush-hush and its details are sketchy. Essentially, California purchases the car of the legislator's choice, although it must be American-made or a hybrid. The state then "leases" the car to the legislator for up to a maximum of $500 or 90-percent of the estimated monthly cost, whichever is less. The total comes out of each Assembly member's annual staff expense budget. After they're done with it or are voted out of office, the car reverts to government ownership and if not sold, diverted to another area of government. Former assemblyman Kevin Murray's Lexus RX 400h was used by the sergeant-at-arms as an airport shuttle. Unfortunately, many times these sales aren't well-documented and simply fall off the grid, so to speak. (More details here at the Sacramento News & Review)
The state also pays for gasoline and maintenance, but the records are apparently not well kept and not thoroughly scrutinized. One Assemblyman's $29,000 Mustang Mach 1 racked up a $25,000 repair bill. Former Assemblyman and current Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa burned 5,500 gallons of gasoline in 1999, which would be 15.06 gallons per day. I'm not saying he abused the company gas card during a year in which he unsuccessfully ran for mayor, but that's a lot of driving and four times greater than his previous high. The state has also flipped the bill for legislators' 18-inch wheels, body kits, Bluetooth systems and in one case, a chrome Bentley grille for a Chrysler 300. Want to go back and vote for the Peace & Freedom candidate yet?
But as Conyers proves, California is not alone with this nonsense and the U.S. Congress has a similar program -- in fact, it's even more lax. According to this New York Times article, there are few restrictions on what type of car a congressman can choose and no price limit. Indeed, New York Congressman Gregory W. Meeks spent $998 per month on a Lexus LS 460. And since congressmen serve two year terms, they must go with much more costly two-year leases or else pay the remaining years if they get booted from office, say, for misusing state funds. Not that Meeks' constituents cared, for he was re-elected last month. (Full details of the program here)
Last year and before the most recent election, 125 of 435 congressmen participated in the program, which also covers gas, insurance, mileage overages, wear and tear, maintenance and registration. No word on whether they can get Bentley grilles. There are some, like New York Congressman Anthony D. Weiner (re-elected in 2010) who drives a humble Chevy Impala, but there are plenty others who take full advantage of the program.
The U.S. Senate has no such program, so when you read a news story of John McCain buying a Ford Fusion Hybrid, he actually was buying it. A friend of mine who used to work for Evan Bayh said the retiring Indiana senator drove a 2003 Ford Focus.
If this all doesn't make you angry, you're clearly one of the state legislators or congressmen getting one of these cars. There is logic in providing them vehicles to visit constituents, since having enough money and a car shouldn't be a requisite for elected public service. But a Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu should be the limit of their vehicle hand-outs, perhaps a GMC Acadia if they ferry people about or a Fusion Hybrid if a green alternative is desired. There is absolutely no need for $50,000 luxury cars, especially those hybrid models that are little more than fashion accessories. Back in July 2009, I postulated that it was only a matter of time before Cadillac Escalade Hybrids began flooding Capitol Hill. Well, after Congressman Conyers, feel free to call me Kreskin. And in case you're wondering, Conyers' government lease is worth $1,251.66 per month, according to Jalopnik. Holy cow.
If there was ever a sign of government waste, this is most certainly one that's 28 feet tall and covered in neon lights. And if you think its endemic of a particular party, you're in fairy tale land. Yet, it's also something that'll go completely unnoticed unless journalists start hanging around the congressional parking lot and start asking questions. Since writing that original article back in '09, the LA Times doesn't seem to have followed up on it, while FOX TV Detroit didn't go beyond asking why Conyers' son was driving government property.
Perhaps the problem isn't entirely big government, but the greedy jackwagons who run government who have the gaul to get away with nonsense just like this.
A version of this blog was originally posted on Edmunds CarPool
smrtypants44 says:
10:31 AM, 12/ 1/10
Looking at the NY list, I'm surprised that an 07 Lucerne costs $300 more a month than an 07 BMW 530.
mrryte says:
10:35 AM, 12/ 1/10
"Perhaps the problem isn't entirely big government, but the greedy jackwagons who run government who have the gaul to get away with nonsense just like this. "
EXACTLY. It's the lack of accountability of those within government (Democrats and Republicans alike) that is continuing to erode public trust.
mrryte says:
10:38 AM, 12/ 1/10
Oh; and I'd love to hear the story behind the $27,000 in concert tickets....
stoppre75 says:
10:40 AM, 12/ 1/10
Nice article James!
In all honesty the first thing that came to my mind was "why does the son of a Congressman have $27,000 of concert tickets on him"?
Do people abuse the free gas from Local government car programs? Of Course. So I undoubtedly expect national elected officials to do it. (I also believe that the punishment for getting caught should be to repay every gallon of gas used at the highest price point of the last 12months.) And people let their wives, kids, brother-in-law's (IL You don't forget the Challenger now, do you?) drive company cars. But how does a 20 year old get his hand on almost $30,000 of concert tickets, unless he is the promoter of said concert?
gobigo says:
10:42 AM, 12/ 1/10
This makes me sick. I know all about DWTS, but this gets no coverage. As an added bonus the CA taxpayers insure these vehicles. So when Carole Migden gets hopped up on drugs and uses her $50k hybrid highlander as a pinball on highway 12 we (the taxpayer) get stuck with the $300k settlement!
ergsum says:
11:23 AM, 12/ 1/10
The congressman's wife:
http://www.freep.com/article/20090627/NEWS01/906270358/Conyers-guilty-in-bribery-case
0757lx says:
11:40 AM, 12/ 1/10
Excellently written article! These politicans make me sick!
ralphhightower says:
12:03 PM, 12/ 1/10
WTF was Conyers' son doing with $27,000 worth of concert tickets (1000 tickets according to police report)?
I don't reward criminal behavior but in this instance, it looks like his son was intending to scalp the tickets. In that case, I say good riddance! Never mind that the thief probably is going to scalp the tickets itself.
half_ton says:
12:04 PM, 12/ 1/10
WOW . . . where is the media attention on all this!?!?!?
Republicans and Democrats do NOTHING expect point the finger of blame at each other while they STEAL from taxpayers. Absolutely amazing in the most ridicilous way possible.
rustyshacklfrd says:
12:33 PM, 12/ 1/10
There is no need for members of congress to have cars provided at all. Give them the normal IRS allowance for mileage and be done with all this crap. Our (former) congressman in NY was paying over $800/mo on a Buick Ranier. Math, clearly, is not their strong suit.
tmanz says:
12:40 PM, 12/ 1/10
+1 on the the $27,000 in concert tickets???
and these politicians really are laughing at us, it is about time for a pitchfork and torch march on DC.
"unless journalists start hanging around the congressional parking lot and start asking questions."
The problem is there aren't many 'journalists' left. Most are 'reporters' that just reprint press releases word for word or read them on the air. Or take something that was presented as a news story somewhere online and re-report it as fact with no checking at all.
Hadn't thought about it before but automotive journalists may be the last of the breed, researching stories, checking background, digging up related information
bc1960 says:
12:50 PM, 12/ 1/10
The money for car leases comes from their office budget. Whether or not they lease a car, they get the same amount of money to run their offices. Congressmen who lease expensive cars have less money to spend on staff, district office space, etc. Congressmen who lease less expensive cars have more. Congressmen who don't lease at all have even more. You can argue about priorities, but the cost to taxpayers is the same regardless. Ding him for allowing the son to drive, but I suspect that a lot of people who have company-paid leases allow family members to drive even though they're not supposed to--in fact I know several who do.
Republicans who represent western states often lease Suburbans and Navigators--the rationale being that the states are big, distances are long, and speeds are high--which cost almost as much as the Escalade Hybrid and get much poorer fuel economy. And they squealed when the list of vehicles they're supposed to choose from was reconfigured to encourage more ecological choices. The Republicans controlled the House for twelve years and didn't change this--the Senate does not have a vehicle program--and I don't expect them to change it this time. And even if they eliminated vehicle leasing, without decreasing the office budget allowance the savings are imaginary.
j84ustin says:
01:35 PM, 12/ 1/10
+1 bc1960
moparbad says:
02:48 PM, 12/ 1/10
quote DetroitNews-
The tickets were intended to be distributed to select retail locations as part of a Black Friday promotion for Detroit rapper Big Sean's concert at the Fillmore on Dec. 26.
Conyers III is affiliated with Big Sean and the promotional group selling the tickets, an executive at the Fillmore confirmed.
When the break-in occurred, Conyers III and Big Sean were attending a performance by Detroit rapper Earlly Mac at the Shelter.
Big Sean expressed concern the tickets, which have been voided, would wind up in the hands of unknowing ticket buyers.
"The people who they're selling them to might buy them thinking they're real," Sean said Tuesday. "That's my only concern."
Conyers III is a son of John and Monica Conyers, a former Detroit city councilwoman. She is serving 37 months in prison for taking at least $6,000 to change her vote on the controversial $1.2 billion Synagro sludge hauling contract in 2007. The conviction was part of a wide-ranging ongoing probe of city corruption.
The News reported in 2007 John Conyers started leasing a Lincoln LS for $997 a month in February 2006.
It's not uncommon for members of Congress to lease vehicles at government expense, but they must be used for official business.
-end
tmanz says:
03:51 PM, 12/ 1/10
"And even if they eliminated vehicle leasing, without decreasing the office budget allowance the savings are imaginary."
Just imagine if there were people that said "Just because I have this amount to spend doesn't mean I have to spend every penny"
Some of us that work in the real world get to spend companies money and actually do so thoughtfully aiming to spend the least possible. I get no reward for saving money other than helping keep the company in business.
bodyblue says:
04:03 PM, 12/ 1/10
"and since they aren't paid a great deal, giving them a car to meet their constituents is acceptable. It'"
Congressmen make $170,000 a year plus per diem. So stop the BS please.
"The Republicans controlled the House for twelve years and didn't change this-"
Oh give me a break. Conyers and his other corrupt buddy Rangle are Dems along with Maxine Waters. All filthy and corrupt. The Dems have had the House since 2006 and they claimed to want to clean up the corruption and did not. Dont try and change the point of the article. It blows me away that in California (where I live) again voted Dem in the last election. Notice that the states in the worst financial shape are run by Dems? Gee go figure. Thank goodness Chris Christi is kicking the hell out of the NJ unions and other filthy institutions.
notabigdeal says:
08:50 PM, 12/ 1/10
BY the way guys... we elect these ppl.
jriz says:
08:34 AM, 12/ 2/10
bodyblue: The text you quoted me from was in reference to California legislators, not members of congress.
stoppre75 says:
09:14 AM, 12/ 2/10
@bodyblue
You seriously turn everything into a pissing match... You sound like a very angry person.
There is no difference between a politician who favors gun laws and another who favors a woman's right to choose. In the end, they just want money and power and will say whatever they need to to get those things.
(On a side note, I completely agree with you on Christie, he's pretty awesome)
cardesigner82 says:
03:21 PM, 12/ 2/10
I may be in the wrong field of work...I should be a congressman and drive a Corvette ZR-1 ;)
bodyblue says:
12:38 PM, 12/ 3/10
"The text you quoted me from was in reference to California legislators, not members of congress.
They still make almost 100K with Per Diem