Rahm Emanuel Drastically Reins In City Agency Credit Cards From 500 To 30, Cuts Petty Cash

[Tx4obama]

After his administration reviewed how government-issued credit cards are used in the city, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to drastically cut the amount of plastic being swiped by employees of city agencies.

While some 500 credit cards have previously been in circulation among the city's government agencies, that number will now be cut to just 30, to be distributed evenly between the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges and the Public Building Commission, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Also, the cards' use will now be limited to only top executives, whose spending will be made public on a monthly basis. Petty cash funds will be cut entirely and gifts, flowers, car washes, parking or red light tickets and refreshments for holiday parties or birthdays will also restricted under Emanuel's new policy.

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The move comes after City Comptroller Amer Ahmad discovered some questionable charges to agency cards. The charges, as reported by Greg Hinz at Crain's, include $21,000 for an "executive coaching" session, $1,098 for a group dinner in Reno, Nev., $5,000 for an "appreciation event" and $34,000 in fuel costs, though the city has its own, separate contract covering gasoline expenses. Ahmad would not disclose which agencies were responsible for those charges.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/rahm-emanuel-drastically-_n_895018.html


This should be done EVERYWHERE!
Looks like Rahm is doing some cleaning up :)

[rpannier]

1. Good idea

I don't like Rahm (and yes I've met him a few times) but the lack of accountability that can arise from that many cards being out there can be problematic.

[dkf]

2. I like it.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Dumb move...control the usage better

Gov credit cards allow for small timely purchases of needed items not in the warehouse/stock system. They are required to make the organization run smoothly. I have no problem crushing the abusers, but the cards themselves are not the problem.