PEF ready to help Gov. Paterson serve needs of
New York
By
Kenneth Brynien
As the gubernatorial transition continues, we wish Gov. David Paterson well
as he takes the reins of state government.
Like many others, we await signals regarding the state budget, our
initiatives surrounding Go Public and important
legislation such as the bill to restrict mandatory overtime.
As the governor and the Legislature struggle to close a $5 billion deficit,
the transition may affect many of the results of our past efforts on the
budget and the potential success of our legislative agenda. However, even
with this uncertainty, I am confident we will continue our progress and I
have no doubt our cordial relationship with David Paterson will continue and
become more important now that he is governor.
PEF’s relationship with former Gov. Eliot Spitzer and his administration
allowed PEF to address many issues important to our members, such as curbing
the use of costly consultants and contractors, replacing them with state
employees who provide taxpayers with better value, and negotiating a
contract that continues to address inequities with other state units. The
former governor understood the value of public employees, and I am confident
the same is true for Gov. Paterson.
I, like many of you, listened intently for clues at the new governor’s
inauguration as he spoke of the fiscal challenges the state faces, on what
this may mean for our members. Rumors abound as to what the new governor may
propose. In his inaugural speech the new governor made it clear he intends
to make changes in the state’s budget.
We understand the need to address the state’s finances and will offer to
assist the governor wherever possible. Through all the upheaval that has
occurred and will no doubt continue, PEF will remain steadfast in its goals
to protect the job security of our members, and improve our terms and
conditions of employment.
We will also work to remind the new administration of the value of state
employees, and work to ensure the governor does not repeat the mistakes of
past administrations. It’s important he resist the pressure to balance the
budget on the back of the state workforce, only to find that the need for
the vital services continues and costs more due to an increased reliance on
private consultants and contractors.
I will meet with the governor soon to continue building what I hope will be
a long and beneficial relationship, for our members and the citizens of the
state of New York whom we serve.
