Harrisburg City Controller Dan Miller has presented Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson with an ultimatum: rescind

the gag order on city workers

or he will rescind his payroll signature stamp.

Miller claims in his memo that the Feb. 3 gag order, which prevents city workers from speaking directly to the city controller’s office, city council members and the media, is hampering his ability to do his job.

Miller has given Thompson until tomorrow to do away with her Feb. 3 gag order as it relates to the city controller or he will rescind his signature stamp on Thursday. If that happens, all city payroll checks will have to be printed on paper and sent to the controller’s office for Miller’s signature. "I do not take this action lightly," Miller wrote in his e-mail to Thompson. "I prefer not to disrupt direct deposit for the majority of city employees."

He also claims that the gag order is violating a portion of Pennsylvania law that provides the city controller have access to all information related to expenditures.

Miller’s office performs a watchdog function. The independent office is responsible for authorizing all city expenditures. For example, the controller is supposed to sign off on paychecks for only those positions that are included in an enacted budget.

Thompson’s office did not have an immediate comment to Miller’s memo.