Bill to Reduce State Car Fleet Stalled

New Jersey lawmakers have put the brakes on  a bill that would require a drastic reduction in the number of  motor vehicles in the state fleet.

A state Senate committee decided not to vote on the measure Thursday after hearing several concerns.

The Communication Workers of America, the largest union of state workers, said taking away state vehicles could complicate insurance situations for workers.

Sen. Shirley Turner, a Democrat, says it's not fair because at 31 cents per mile, the state's reimbursement rate for workers using their own cars is too low.

And Sen. Samuel Thompson, a Republican, says the goal of reducing the fleet by 50 percent over five years is arbitrary.

Under the bill, state police, gaming enforcement, emergency and  construction vehicles would be exempt.