Is the state taxpayer being forced to pay for empty state offices?

HARRISBURG –  Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Senator Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) have introduced legislation that would require each state Executive and Independent Agency to produce an annual report to the Department of General Services. This submitted report must include, at minimum, the following information:

•  Whether the state facility is state-owned or leased;

• Whether the state facility is occupied or vacant;

• The size of the facility as measured in square feet;

• The total expenditures for utilities per facility over the preceding twelve months;

• The amount of rent paid for the preceding twelve months for any facility that is leased;

• The purpose of each facility;

• Recommendations on how each Executive Agency or Independent Agency can reduce their overall costs.

From 1980 to 2014, the number of state employees decreased by 28,111 positions (a 26 percent reduction.) However, there are no records kept that indicate if the amount of state office space has also decreased as a result of the lower employment numbers.

“Spending has a habit of getting out of control in Harrisburg” Argall said, “this legislation will be an important step towards establishing a baseline in order to significantly reduce costs in running the state’s Executive and Independent Agencies.”