WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today criticized the Government Services Agency (GSA) for securing a 16-month lease on behalf of the U.S. Census at a total cost of $411,052.56.
               
“For that kind of taxpayer money, you could buy a whole building for the Census.  It’s a huge amount of funding, and it’s way above the going rate for retail space in Cape Girardeau,” Emerson said.

The Eighth District Representative is even angrier at the GSA contract because vacant space remains in the new Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse and the previously-occupied Federal Building on Broadway which is now 70 percent vacant, according to the GSA.
“These are difficult economic times during which every family in our congressional district is forced to come up with some creative solutions to save money.  I’m shocked, and more than a little angry, that GSA isn’t taking their role in protecting taxpayers to heart,” Emerson said.  “To be frank, this is exactly why Americans are upset at our federal government right now and especially on Tax Day.  There’s no transparency, no accountability, and no thinking outside the box.  We have two federal buildings in Cape Girardeau with vacant space, and as far as I can tell neither one of them was seriously considered for use by the Census.  We easily could have made the new space ready for the Census or put off the disposal of the Federal Building for a year for this purpose.  I am sure our downtown Cape Girardeau businesses wouldn’t have minded that one bit.”

Emerson opposed the stimulus spending bill in which the U.S. Census secured $1 billion in extra funding earlier this year.

“I suspect that extra stimulus money is the culprit.  I am thoroughly disappointed there is no thought on the part of GSA or the Census about returning some of those funds to the Treasury and helping out taxpayers during a difficult economic time.  Instead, it’s a mentality that burning through taxpayer money is the best way for a federal agency to get more of it next year,” Emerson said.

The 7,300 square foot leased space on 623 S. Silver Springs Road is being leased for $49.97 per square foot for the first year of occupancy.