State Assemblyman Gary Finch on Wednesday called on Gov. David Paterson to rescind an “absurd and unacceptable” order to close the Auburn customer service center of the state Workers' Compensation Board.

Finch, R-Springport, said in a news release that the state plans to close the Auburn office in October and send its staff and claimants to the nearest available office, most likely in Syracuse.

Finch said the Auburn office is one of 11 set to be closed by the Workers' Comp board as part of Paterson's Expenditure Reduction Plan ordering all state agencies to implement cost-reduction measures.

The Auburn customer service center, according to Finch, takes on hundreds of claimants for Workers' Compensation and disability issues and hearings and facilitates questions, documents, casework and information drop-off for local residents and legal counsel.

“At a time when the price of gasoline is almost $5 a gallon, Governor Paterson is asking that the residents of Cayuga County drive an extra 40 miles for Workers' Compensation issues and hearing,” Finch said.

Finch said the office closure would save the state only about $54,000 a year and that Paterson should “work on some real cost saving measures in Albany.”