You Paid For It: Pricey cars gathering dust
ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) - Some ritzy rides that you are paying for are sitting idle.
A handful of taxpayer funded cars have normally been provided to some senior members of the NYS Senate. This year there is a twist – the Democrats who are now in control of the Senate don’t want the cars. We found the five expensive cars tucked away deep under the Empire State Plaza, covered in dust.
There are two top of the line Ford Taurus Limiteds, and one 2017 Ford Explorer Limited, the priciest of the Explorers. There is a 2017 Chevy Tahoe Premier, again a top of the line vehicle. There is also one other older Tahoe.
These cars were all purchased when Republicans controlled the Senate, but now the Democrats have grounded these cars. Democratic Senator David Carlucci says just because something has been done a certain way for years, that doesn’t mean the practice has to continue.
Even many rank and file Republicans say they have concerns about the purchase of the pricey cars. Republican Senator George Amedore of Rotterdam says he is glad the cars have been taken off the road, and adds all lawmakers should drive their own car, as he does.
Four other previously purchased Senate cars are being used by members. Democratic Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is driving an SUV, and three older model Tauruses are being used by three GOP leaders.
We are told the new Senate Majority is looking at possibly selling the unused vehicles, or finding some other state government agency that could truly use them.
When we asked Senate Republicans why such expensive models were purchased, we were told many of the previous cars had been driven hundreds of thousands of miles and were in need of significant repairs.
