February 22, 2011 > Governor Brown Eliminates "S.W.A.G" Governor Brown Eliminates "S.W.A.G" Governor's Office Press Release SACRAMENTO, Feb 18 - Governor Jerry Brown's administration today directed all state agencies and departments to stop spending taxpayer dollars on free giveaway and gift items-such as key chains, coffee mugs and squeeze toys-as part of continuing efforts to cut costs and tackle the state's budget gap. "Not a cent of taxpayer money should be spent on flashlights, ashtrays or other unnecessary items, most of which likely end up in landfills," said Governor Brown. "Every taxpayer dollar we save by cutting waste is a dollar than can be used to pay for critical public safety and social services." A statewide review revealed that from 2007 to 2010 state agencies and departments spent a total of $7.5 million on items including key chains, squeeze toys, pens, hats, trinkets, shirts, cups and other gift items known colloquially as "S.W.A.G," or "Stuff We All Get." These include promotional and marketing items across almost every agency in the state. Today's ban follows Brown's request earlier this week for the Bureau of State Audits and the Little Hoover Commission to each provide a list of "Top 10 Actions" California can take to cut government waste and increase efficiency. The Governor has also issued Executive Orders to freeze hiring across state government and cut state cell phones and the passenger vehicle fleet in half. These actions are part of Brown's efforts to save money this fiscal year and to cut $363 million in operational costs next fiscal year. S.W.A.G Expenditures 2007 -2010 Business, Transportation & Housing Agency: $5,088,037 State and Consumer Services Agency: $1,154,960 Health and Human Services Agency: $778,678 Department of Food & Agriculture: $175,530 Labor and Workforce Development Agency: $129,012 Business, Transportation & Housing Agency: $5,088,037 State and Consumer Services Agency: $1,154,960 Health and Human Services Agency: $778,678 Department of Food & Agriculture: $175,530 Labor and Workforce Development Agency: $129,012 California Volunteers: $77,387 Environmental Protection Agency: $48,317 Emergency Management Agency: $41,810 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: $12,201 Department of Veterans Affairs: $4,968