Sen. George Goodwin is using recycled furniture to equip his Senate office and has refused use of a government-assigned vehicle, as he did during his term in the 22nd Legislature.
Goodwin and his staff are furnishing the office with discarded furniture from other senators and with surplus federal property from the General Services Administration, according to the Daily News.
Staff members have brought in their own plants instead of buying new ones. And a friend reupholstered some of the commandeered furniture.
Goodwin called buying new office furniture "irresponsible, inconsiderate and wasteful" in view of the government's fiscal crisis.
Goodwin urged other government officials to do the same if they are serious about curtailing excessive spending.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole said earlier this week he would not use his government vehicle after 5 p.m. or on weekends.
