Official SUVs ring up gas bills

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Aug 9, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Taxpayers spend about $500 a month to gas up state Treasurer John Kennedy’s GMC Yukon. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s Ford Expedition consumes nearly $435 a month in gas.

Another statewide elected official, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, said he parks his state-owned GMC Yukon as much as possible and drives his personal vehicle.

Strain still spends about $275 a month in state funds on gas for his SUV.

Across the country, high gas prices are forcing many drivers to ditch their SUVs in favor of more fuel-efficient cars. The switch is creating huge economic problems for U.S. automakers, including General Motors, which is laying off an entire shift of workers in Shreveport.

However, Kennedy, Caldwell and Strain drive state-owned SUVs that only get about 12 to 13 miles per gallon in the city, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Web site.

Caldwell said he told his agency to buy more fuel-efficient cars — such as the Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Fusion — when state vehicles in the department’s fleet have to be replaced.

However, he ordered a 2008 Ford Expedition for his use when he took office in January.

“I carry a lot of stuff with me. I haul a lot of books and junk,” Caldwell said.

The state footed the bill for the vehicle. Statewide elected officials are given a choice — they can purchase a car through the state or they can receive a $700 monthly car allowance.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and Secretary of State Jay Dardenne take the car allowance. Gov. Bobby Jindal and Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu are driven by their State Police security officers. But Jindal typically travels in gas-guzzling SUVs like other state officials.

Kennedy purchased a 2002 GMC Yukon over the Internet a few years ago. Strain said he uses a 2007 Yukon that his predecessor, former Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom, bought last year.

Caldwell said his $24,960 Expedition cost significantly less than the $38,000 Suburban that former Attorney General Charles Foti drove.

Foti lost his bid for re-election last year.