Controversy Over Closing Of New York Office

From the Auburn Citizen:

Plans to close the Auburn Social Security office this month again sparked opposition from one federal official Wednesday.

In a letter to the agency's commissioner, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, argues the Social Security Administration is not using an projected $401 million increase in federal funds as anticipated. Arcuri first spoke out against the office's closure in June.

"Through my meetings with SSA staff regarding this matter, it has been made clear that additional administrative funding was a critical step to staving off closure of the Auburn office," the congressman wrote to SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue. "I find it troubling that SSA would move forward with any district office closures this year before the agency's budget for fiscal year 2008 is finalized." ...

"It seems obvious to me that two things have happened: No. 1, SSA has made no effort whatsoever to fill staffing voids in Auburn and No. 2, the decrease in visitors can be attributed to the decrease in available services and convenient office hours for the general public," Arcuri wrote, requesting another meeting with SSA officials.