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Governor’s records on travel incomplete
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Jim Doyle’s travel records show the governor and his staff failed to properly account for 145 travel expenses over two years, according to a newspaper report published Sunday.
The report, a collaboration between the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and a University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism class, said Doyle and his staff did not supply travel receipts nearly 75 percent of the time in 2007 and 2008.
Doyle’s travel expenses that came without receipts included a $5,200 business-class flight to Ireland, a $654-a-night stay in a London hotel and more than $1,500 on two chauffeured vehicles in Canada.
The report did not call into question the legality of the trips, but said the Democratic governor and his staff failed to follow state rules when it comes to documenting the expenses.
State policy requires employees to provide receipts for purchases made with their state-issued credit cards for flights, hotels and other expenses.
But Susan Goodwin, Doyle’s chief of staff, said the governor’s office acted appropriately in all cases. And she said the governor won’t change how he tracks travel expenses.
“We will not limit his role or chain him down and not allow him to fulfill his duties as governor,” Goodwin said, adding that Doyle is more frugal than many governors.
And Chandra Miller Fienen, Doyle’s chief legal counsel, said the governor’s frequent travel has led to him tracking expenses differently than other state employees. Still, that process adheres to the state travel policy’s intent, Miller Fienen said.
“We have an understanding with the Department of Administration, and it’s very unique to just the unique situation of the governor,” she said.
At least one lawmaker has criticized Doyle and his staff for failing to keep good records.
The report, a collaboration between the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and a University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism class, said Doyle and his staff did not supply travel receipts nearly 75 percent of the time in 2007 and 2008.
Doyle’s travel expenses that came without receipts included a $5,200 business-class flight to Ireland, a $654-a-night stay in a London hotel and more than $1,500 on two chauffeured vehicles in Canada.
The report did not call into question the legality of the trips, but said the Democratic governor and his staff failed to follow state rules when it comes to documenting the expenses.
State policy requires employees to provide receipts for purchases made with their state-issued credit cards for flights, hotels and other expenses.
But Susan Goodwin, Doyle’s chief of staff, said the governor’s office acted appropriately in all cases. And she said the governor won’t change how he tracks travel expenses.
“We will not limit his role or chain him down and not allow him to fulfill his duties as governor,” Goodwin said, adding that Doyle is more frugal than many governors.
And Chandra Miller Fienen, Doyle’s chief legal counsel, said the governor’s frequent travel has led to him tracking expenses differently than other state employees. Still, that process adheres to the state travel policy’s intent, Miller Fienen said.
“We have an understanding with the Department of Administration, and it’s very unique to just the unique situation of the governor,” she said.
At least one lawmaker has criticized Doyle and his staff for failing to keep good records.
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