OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire hit the brakes Monday on plans for converting a Mercedes Benz van bought in Lynnwood into a roving outlet for sales of state lottery tickets.
In a terse letter, Gregoire told state Lottery director Bill Hanson to reverse course on customizing the van into a “Lottomobile” for employees to travel to events each weekend throughout Washington.
“I believe the purchase is inappropriate for state government and I am thereby directing you to sell the van and ensure that you recoup all costs,” she wrote. “Taxpayers expect value for every state dollar, and an expensive, customized sales van doesn’t meet the standards of value set by me and the public.”
Gregoire learned of the van’s purchase Friday. With the letter, she hoped to squelch a growing outrage among some in the public who viewed it as a poorly timed move given state lawmakers are plotting deep cuts in spending to plug a $2 billion hole in the budget.
“In these economic times, the citizens of Washington expect us to be responsible with their money,” Lottery spokesman Arlen Harris said Monday. “The purchase of a Mercedes just flies in the face of the citizens’ expectations.”
The state Lottery Commission bought the Sprinter van in June for $49,000 from Mercedes Benz of Lynnwood. The Lottery Commission was expecting to spend as much as another $75,000 to retrofit the van.
They hoped to give the van a spiffy paint job and emblazon it with Lotto logos. Windows were to be cut out and awnings and foldout shelves added to enable the sale of tickets by workers stationed inside. The interior would become a mobile office complete with lottery terminals and other amenities.
Harris said negotiations are under way with the dealer on how much of the purchase price the agency can recoup. The agency has put about 300 miles on the van, Harris said.
Stefan Halata, the dealership’s marketing and communications manager, wrote in an email Monday that the firm had no comment regarding the situation.
Until Gregoire intervened, Lottery officials intended this week to start collecting bids on the retrofit.
Lottery officials figured the van could pump up ticket sales and generate as much as $200,000 in extra revenue annually. Those dollars, not tax dollars would have covered the costs of the purchase and conversion but it didn’t alter the perception of the public.
“Their intentions were good,” Gregoire spokeswoman Karina Shagren said of the Lottery Commission. “They still have the means to go around to fairs and events. But the governor certainly has some concerns about this purchase. Who wouldn’t?”
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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