Cash customers are being turned away from Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles offices primarily because state employees can’t keep their hands out of the till, and state lawmakers want that policy reversed, according to The USA Today Network of Louisiana.
“I don’t think you change policies because employees are stealing and put it on the backs of citizens,” says state Transportation Committee Chairman Page Cortez, R-Lafayette.
DMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain implemented the no-cash policy on Nov. 1 and emailed all lawmakers about her decision two days later.
State Sen. Jim Fannin, R-Jonesboro, says he conferred with Cortez and other colleagues after constituents complained to him.
“We should never turn down the legal tender of the United States of America,” Fannin says. “It doesn’t make sense at all.” He adds that eliminating cash as a payment option primarily affects rural and poor residents.
Legislative audits in 2014 and 2015 recommended the DMV install safeguards to prevent or reduce employee theft. The audits reported at least $280,000 in stolen or misappropriated funds. Five employees were arrested.
St. Germain says she resisted installing the no-cash policy after Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed her as DMV commissioner, “but after nine months I felt like that was the only solution. It’s that bad.”
St. Germain says the new policy does more than just prevent theft. It will make the agency more efficient and save taxpayer money, perhaps ultimately allowing for reduced fees or the ability to keep them at current levels longer, she says.
But customers also face added fees if they want to pay by personal check or debit and credit cards. Customers can also choose to pay with a money order or a cashier’s check.
