Gov. Brown Goes After S.W.A.G. To Cut State Spending

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Governor Jerry Brown continues to chop away at unnecessary state spending, this time going after items like key chains, ashtrays, t-shirts and stress balls collectively known as S.W.A.G.

Gov. Brown today ordered all state agencies and departments to stop spending taxpayer dollars on free giveaway items like coffee mugs, magnets and hats.

"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 Governor 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."
 
According to the governor's office,  state agencies spent $7.5 million in three years on promotional and marketing items known as S.W.A.G. or "stuff we all get".

Today's order follows moves to cut down on state-issued cell phones and cars.

• S.W.A.G Expenditures 2007 -2010 Amount
  Business, Transportation & Housing Agency $5,088,037.00
  State and Consumer Services Agency  $1,154,960.00
  Health and Human Services Agency $778,678.00
  Department of Food & Agriculture $175,530.00
  Labor and Workforce Development Agency $129,012.00
  California Volunteers $77,387.00
  Environmental Protection Agency  $48,317.00
  Emergency Management Agency $41,810.00
  Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation $12,201.00
  Department of Veterans Affairs $4,968.00
  Total: $7,510,900.00