State budget proposal validates state employees

By KENNETH BRYNIEN
The wait for the governor’s budget is over. After more than a decade of preparing for the worst in Executive Budgets, we were greeted with a budget proposal that is a validation of what we already knew —that state employees offer value to the state’s taxpayers — a message that has been the centerpiece of our Go Public campaign.

This value was recognized and rewarded by the governor when he proposed adding 2,500 positions to the state work force, of which 1,800 are expected to be in PEF-represented titles.

When Gov. Eliot Spitzer presented his budget in January, he was questioned about the increase in the size of the state work force. He responded that state employees represent “…better performance and use of tax dollars.” The numbers back this up.

This is the first budget under PEF’s state Contract Disclosure Law. As part of the budget, the governor was required to identify the number of consultants and their cost. The disclosure of the excessive costs surpassed even our estimates, with some consultants’ annual average cost per employee topping a half-million dollars.

As good as this budget is in recognizing the value public employees represent to taxpayers, it is not without issues.

Most significantly, in the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) 250 new positions have been proposed along, with the closure of three group homes and a residential center. This would affect approximately 16 PEF members, and it would require the waiver of the requirement of 12-months prior notification on OCFS closures.

If necessary, we will fight to maintain the job security of these members and preserve the 12-month notification at OCFS that we fought so hard to achieve.

The governor also proposed a closure commission for state correctional facilities, similar to the Berger Commission for closing hospitals. We are opposed to the new commission as proposed, and we believe the commission’s role should be advisory.

However, this budget shows the willingness of Gov. Spitzer to work with us when the facts support us. I am confident that we will be able to resolve the issues we have with this budget in a way that protects our members’ jobs, and the services we provide.

Overall, with adjustments, this budget proposal is the first step in reversing more than a decade of short-sighted and ill-conceived cuts, contracting out, and reductions in vital state services. This budget was well worth the wait for our members and the taxpayers of the state.

The Communicator March 2007

Features
STATE BUDGET:
- Spitzer's workforce plan
- Lawmakers reform budget process
- Go Public
- DOT
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- DOH
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- OMIG
- OMH
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Threats put parole office on edge

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Oops! The February issue mistakenly identified member Sue Jeffords as retired; incorrectly referred to PEF Division 239 as Division 283; and omitted that retired thoroughbred C.L. Rib ran 93 races and hit the tote board 51 times.

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