JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt is taking steps to saving the state more than a half million dollars a year in vehicle fleet costs, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. The state is implementing two new efforts to reduce waste and cost for taxpayers, he said. The first policy requires employees using state vehicles to use an Internet-based tool, called Trip Optimizer, to calculate potential travel costs and find the most cost-effective travel option for in-state trips. In addition, the state is rolling out the Smart Lease program, which consolidates fleet leases and purchases and allows the state to refinance agencies' existing lease-purchase obligations, fund the energy-performance initiative, and finance future equipment needs for the state. “State vehicles generally provide the lowest cost transportation option for state employees,” said Mike Keathley, Office of Administration commissioner, in a statement. “It makes sense and saves money to work together to use our state vehicles efficiently and to the fullest extent possible.”