Mississippi’s state travel management program is a compulsory travel reservation service for state agencies and institutions which was initiated in 1986. PEER reviewed this program, which is administered by the state Fiscal Management Board. The travel program is cost-effective, having generated a net economic benefit of $197,000 during FY 1988. Without legal authority, the Fiscal Management Board exempts travelers from complying with the travel program by granting waivers for airline or other public carrier travel arrangements if agencies can prove that lower rates can be obtained (primarily air fare packages for large national conventions). By interviewing travel-intensive state agencies and universities, PEER determined that the state travel management program and the state’s contract travel agency (McGehee/Ask Mr. Foster) operate in a manner generally satisfactory to users.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.