A spokesman for Gov.-elect Tom Corbett says Corbett will review the car allowances of the state’s appellate court judiciary, in addition to his earlier pledge to reduce the commonwealth’s fleet of 16,000 cars.

If Corbett really is as serious as he says he is about addressing the state’s projected $4 billion deficit next year, he also should be prepared to engage in whatever battle is necessary to scale back the vehicle allowances that the state’s Senate and House members enjoy.

Scaled-back vehicle allowances aren’t going to solve the state’s worsening budget problems, but Pennsylvania is at a juncture where even the potential for small savings cannot be ignored.

Most workers in the state aren’t paid by their employers to travel to and from work. However, in effect, that is a perk that lawmakers, as well as the judiciary and some other top state officials, enjoy by way of their taxpayer-paid vehicle leases. The per diem pay, which is intended to reimburse for expenses but requires no receipts, is another potential reform target.

With the state in such dire financial straits, expecting lawmakers and other top officials to use their own vehicles to get to work is not too much to ask.

And, if any of the officials in question regard the cost as too much of a burden on their personal budgets, they always have the option not to seek re-election.

Many of the state’s appellate court judges, some of whom make more than $175,000 a year, aren’t exhibiting any concern for commonwealth taxpayers by leasing — again, at taxpayers’ expense — Cadillacs, Mercedes-Benzes and other luxury cars as well as high-end sport utility vehicles.

An overly generous reimbursement provision dating back to 1990 allows them to receive up to $600 a month, and 25 jurists are tapping into that provision.

Thirteen judges, however, opt not to lease vehicles.

“These judges receive excessive perks, including extravagant car allowances, dinner expenses, health care and pension benefits, and the taxpayers are left to foot the bill,” Greg Wrightstone, of the PA Coalition for Responsible Government, told a Pittsburgh newspaper.

Trouble is, most state residents, many of whom are struggling financially, aren’t aware of what they are paying for in regard to state officials. State taxpayers owe it to themselves to seek out and understand that information.

In addition to the negative fallout from the national economic troubles, Pennsylvania is suffering from many money problems of its own making, and that begins with such excesses as luxury vehicle leases, a too-large state vehicle pool, as well as more costly, unnecessary obligations such as providing health insurance to lawmakers without requiring them to contribute toward their coverage.

For lawmakers, judges and others, their state service has been — and continues to be — a lucrative experience.

If Corbett is going to make successful his campaign promise of resolving the state’s big projected deficit, state government — and those managing it and working for it — will have to face cuts that they surely will regard as painful.

Otherwise, Corbett might have no choice but to renege on his campaign promise not to raise taxes.

Corbett cannot leave any stone unturned in his objective to reduce state spending. He has been successful in uncovering corruption and unethical practices in the state government during his stint as attorney general. He must exhibit a similar determination in weeding out the excesses that, combined with the effects of the national recession, have made the state’s fiscal situation precarious and raised doubts about the future of Pennsylvania as a good place to live and work.