Baker Takes Back 20 to 30 State-Owned Cars From Employees

Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to members of the media, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Boston. AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker has stripped 20 to 30 state employees of their state-owned vehicles as part of a review sparked by a state parks and recreation official who resigned after using his vehicle’s lights and sirens to cut through heavy Boston traffic.

The Boston Herald reported that Baker announced the move Tuesday while speaking at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Baker said the decisions on whose cars would be taken involved a continuing review of “domicile privileges.” Baker’s office later said the employees spanned a number of executive agencies and the decisions were made by Baker’s budget office as part of a “cost-saving measure.”

Baker said his administration is now reviewing which cars in its 2,500-vehicle fleet also have lights and sirens and whether they are needed.