Struggling Calif. City Spent $420K+ on iPads for Public Employees

Despite the fact that the city is wrestling with some serious financial issues, officials in Sacramento, Calif., reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer’s dollars on iPads for public employees, CBS San Francisco reports.

“Records show that state agencies have spent $423,000 on iPads during the 19 months since Gov. Jerry Brown declared that his administration would do away with cell phones and cars for government workers,” according to the report.

“But, state records reveal that the departments of Veterans Affairs, Water Resources, and General Services, as well as the Board of Equalization and Caltrans, are among the agencies that have made iPad purchases during that time,” the report adds.

Unsurprisingly, people weren’t too thrilled when they found out.

Tulare Republican Assemblywoman Connie Conway said the purchases were, “the kind of double standard that outrages taxpaying citizens and explains why they don’t trust us."

The Department of Motor Vehicles has been ordered by the governor’s office to turn over the 11 iPads they purchased.

But, DMV aside, why were any of these agencies buying iPads?

“An administration spokesman also suggested that some iPad buys were justified because they were being used by doctors, engineers and other state-employed professionals who would otherwise rely on potentially pricier laptops,” CBS San Fran reports.

“He did acknowledge that, in many cases, the devices are little more than a luxury that sends the wrong message during hard times -- not to mention an election year,” the report adds.

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All photos courtesy the AP.