news-record.com

The state's $51.5 million no-bid contract with Verizon Business raises questions beyond whether state employees wrongly accepted free meals or hockey tickets.

But, at least, getting those answers will help keep attention focused on the state's seeming lack of accountability in how it conducts business.

DMV Commissioner Mike Robertson has asked the SBI to investigate if DMV employees accepted gratuities in violation of regulations or received state reimbursement for meals paid for by another party.

The probe now has spread to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which works with DMV in carrying out vehicle inspection efforts.

This should be just the beginning. The state already has paid Verizon for hundreds of costly computers that never were delivered. If they were not needed, shouldn't there be a rebate?

Under the contract, Verizon provides computers placed in garages participating in the state's e-Sticker program launched last year that allows electronic tracking of inspection data.

The unforeseen glitch was that 1,000 of 2,800 participating stations decided to cease doing inspections. That meant hundreds of the 3,000 computers ordered and paid for -- at $1,700 each -- remain in a warehouse.

Add to this miscalculation criticism that DMV is too lax in overseeing vehicle inspections.

Last year, a state report alleged that only half of the garages performing only safety inspections were audited as required.

In fact, the General Assembly has questioned the effectiveness of both the safety and tailpipe emissions checks. According to a critical 2008 report, they have little impact on accident prevention and air quality yet cost $41 million each year to administer.

Robertson, who took over March 2, has his work cut out for him. For years, DMV has been beset by cronyism, favoritism and corruption.

Hopefully, his experience as an SBI agent for 22 years will help in achieving his goal of "running the DMV like a business." That would be a refreshing change.