PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee's Secretary of Health and Human Services Steven Costantino wants to relocate his 250-person staff from the Cranston state government complex to leased office space in Providence.
The State Properties Committee on Tuesday allowed his office to put out a bid request to see what options are available.
The request comes as Costantino's office has suggested some controversial cuts to state Medicaid services to help close a $130-million state budget deficit for the year starting July 1.
David Burnett, chief of government and public affairs in Costantino's office, says the secretary's office is spread out across three former hospital buildings on the John O. Pastore Complex complex that are inadequate.
The buildings, however, are located close to many of the major facilities the office oversees, including the Eleanor Slater state hospital and the Training School for juvenile delinquents.