Each year, Secretary of State Sam Reed hands out awards to state workers who come up with ways to make government more efficient or cheaper.

Among this year's crop:

-Kennewick State trooper David Wilbur: change the oil in pursuit vehicles every 5,000 miles instead of every 3,000. Savings: $96,000 a year.
-John Traylor, a Spokane social worker: photograph all children placed in foster homes, so they can be identified quickly in case of emergency.
-Aric Norton, a computer worker for the state Liquor Control Board: setting up a toll-free phone number for state workers using laptop computers. Savings: $11,726 a year.

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