Department on Aging Director Charles Johnson said Tuesday a planned move of his agency from state-owned to leased offices has been put on hold because it has become a distraction in budget deliberations.
But after addressing a House appropriations committee Tuesday morning, Johnson refused to answer additional questions.
"I have no comment. Am I allowed to not have a comment?" Johnson said.
Johnson told the committee that the Herndon Building that houses most of the agency's employees is in "dire need of repairs" and that he still wants to "provide a more suitable environment to better meet the safety concerns of employees and clients as we move forward. I truly respect the concerns shared and do not wish for this to be a distraction as we engage in further budget deliberations. ...”
The State Journal-Register reported last week that Aging planned to move workers from the state-owned Herndon Building and Department of Revenue building into leased space at Jefferson Terrace. The lease cost more than $532,000 a year.
Since then many lawmakers have complained that the move is a waste of money at a time when many senior service programs are facing money shortages. On Monday, the Department of Central Management Services, which handles state leasing of office space, said the move has been indefinitely suspended.
State Capitol Bureau
