STATE: Governor puts a halt to 'S.W.A.G'

: Lake County News reports; Posted On Friday, 18 February 2011 13:55; 18 February 2011

SACRAMENTO – On Friday Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration directed all state agencies and departments to stop spending taxpayer dollars on free giveaway and gift items – such as key chains, coffee mugs and squeeze toys – as part of continuing efforts to cut costs and tackle the state’s budget gap.

“Not a cent of taxpayer money should be spent on flashlights, ashtrays or other unnecessary items, most of which likely end up in landfills,” said Brown. “Every taxpayer dollar we save by cutting waste is a dollar than can be used to pay for critical public safety and social services.”

A statewide review revealed that from 2007 to 2010 state agencies and departments spent a total of $7.5 million on items including key chains, squeeze toys, pens, hats, trinkets, shirts, cups and other gift items known colloquially as “S.W.A.G,” or “Stuff We All Get.”

These include promotional and marketing items across almost every agency in the state.

Friday’s ban follows Brown’s request earlier this week for the Bureau of State Audits and the Little Hoover Commission to each provide a list of “Top 10 Actions” California can take to cut government waste and increase efficiency.

The governor has also issued executive orders to freeze hiring across state government and cut state cell phones and the passenger vehicle fleet in half.

These actions are part of Brown’s efforts to save money this fiscal year and to cut $363 million in operational costs next fiscal year.

A breakdown of “S.W.A.G” expenditures from 2007 to 2010 is below.

S.W.A.G Expenditures 2007-10

Business, Transportation & Housing Agency: $5,088,037

State and Consumer Services Agency: $1,154,960

Health and Human Services Agency: $778,678

Department of Food & Agriculture: $175,530

Labor and Workforce Development Agency: $129,012

California Volunteers: $77,387

Environmental Protection Agency: $48,317

Emergency Management Agency: $41,810

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: $12,201