Penn. State Official Charges Taxpayers for Commute from Rhode Island

Those miles add up

Secretary of Public Welfare Gary Alexander lives in Rhode Island – and his commute is costing taxpayers hundreds of dollars every month.

Monthly vehicle use reports filed with the Department of General Services show Alexander drove 41,727 miles in state-owned vehicles from July 2011 through June 2012. Of those trips, at least 21,807 miles were tallied under "commute" travel.

The trips add up. Alexander spent more than $4,700 in state expenses the calendar year 2011, according to state records. Purchases were made at gas stations in Harrisburg, throughout Pennsylvania and in Rhode Island.