State audit finds Calif. could save $225 million without return

A new state audit found that California could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually by not forcing public employees to return to the office.

The California State Auditor found that the state could save up to $225 million per year by reducing state-owned and leased office space without requiring employees to return to the office four days a week.

The backstory: Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered thousands of state workers to return to their offices four days a week in March, following up on an order form last year that required state employees to work in-person at least two days a week.

The big picture: The audit found that Newsom’s order could have made better use of important information regarding the needs and costs of departments. • Newsom’s office did not gather important informati