Your tax dollars at work.

A recent news report revealed that many government officials are once again misusing American tax dollars. Some members of Congress were found to have been exploiting a little-known perk whereby House of Representatives members can lease vehicles paid for through official budgets. The Senate doesn’t allow its members to lease cars with their office budgets.

Last year, car leases cost us at least $1.05 million. Taxpayers also paid for hundreds of thousands of dollars more in gas and insurance. The practice knows no party lines: 72 Republicans leased vehicles last year, as did 64 Democrats.

While most of the members leased reasonable and fuel efficient vehicles, Congressmen such as Mike Ross of Arkansas were clearly taking us for a ride with his $1,248.31 a month Ford Expedition.

Ross, whose Arkansas district covers nearly 21,000 square miles, spent the most taxpayer money on cars in 2005: a total of $36,343.84 for an Expedition, a Ford 500 and a Ford Crown Victoria. The median annual income of Ross’ constituents is about $30,000, according to the U.S. census.

The Seattle Times ran the full story and list of government officials and the cars you are paying for.