Overwhelmed by moldCosts top $19M, more Board of Equalization workers being move

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Overwhelmed by moldCosts top $19M, more Board of Equalization

workers being moved

San Business Journal - San ,TX*

Sacramento Business Journal - by Kathy on Staff writer

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/09/29/story

4.html

Schroeder began working at the California State Board of

Equalization headquarters on April 1, 1996 — April Fool's Day. It

was no laughing matter.

She's been on disability leave since March. Now, recovering from

sinus and tear-duct surgery, she says toxic mold and other hazardous

substances in the building made her sick. Even working on files that

have been stored in the building makes her break out in a rash.

Although state officials took steps last month to relocate dozens

more workers to new offices, more than 2,300 people still work at

BOE headquarters at 450 N St. in downtown Sacramento, despite

overcrowded conditions and ongoing problems with water damage and

mold. The problems raise questions about whether staying in the

building over the long term is viable as costs climb.

" (That's) my question daily, " said Bill Leonard, a Republican who

served in the state Legislature for 24 years before he was first

elected to the board in 2002. " If we weren't in a budget crisis, I'd

be looking for a legislative sponsor to buy us a new campus. "