LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A newspaper investigation finds the state of Michigan spends at least $40 million a year for employees' travel but there are inconsistencies in reporting and no high-level oversight.
The Lansing State Journal reported Sunday that nobody in state government is responsible for analyzing actual costs incurred by departments for employees' work-related travel expenses. The State Budget Office says it doesn't keep some of the out-of-state travel reports it's required to receive.
Each agency or department is responsible for its own expenses. Republican Governor Rick Snyder's spokeswoman Sara Wurfel says they "do a solid job of monitoring travel" and are "well-equipped to make decisions" about their needs.
The newspaper says the $40.5 million the state spent last year for such travel is an "inconclusive, minimum figure."