Congressman kiboshes whiffy reward plan
Rep. Darrell Issa says he cracks down on Bureau of Engraving and Printing's program to spend $40,000 in taxpayer money to get employees to return agency supplies.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- A plan to coax government workers to return Uncle Sam's property in return for cash incentives was put to an end Wednesday, according to a congressman.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing recently asked senior employees who have government-issued printers on their desks to surrender them and instead share network printers, according to Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
As an sweetener to cooperate, the bureau said it would "share the savings" with participating employees by giving them a $75 gift card each for complying, Issa said. In a prepared statement, he said the total tab would cost taxpayers more than $40,000.
"The plan for taxpayers to pay for gift cards to reward employees for simply returning office property defied common sense," he said.
Issa, who is the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said he became aware of the program through an article he read in The Washington Post.
In a letter to Larry Felix, director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, he asked to him to explain why the bureau chose to offer the gift cards instead of asking employees to return the printers for free.
Shortly after Issa sent his letter, he said the bureau canceled the program.
"I'm thankful there are some grown-ups at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing who stepped up to cancel this outrageous expenditure after it was exposed and officials were put on notice that they would be held accountable," said Issa.
A representative from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was not immediately available to comment. 
