Help rein in shadow agencies Union keeps pressure on state leaders for priority legislation In October, PEF leaders testified in Albany and Buffalo before a state Assembly committee concerning the need for preserving and enhancing state services to the mentally ill, mentally disabled and substance abusers. The union is also watching to see how the governor deals with 13 bills supported by PEF that passed both houses of the Legislature earlier this year. “So far, six of those bills have been signed into law by the governor, including three that were signed recently,” said PEF Legislative Director Brian Curran. Bills signed include one which increases to $20,000 the limit on how much a retired public employee can earn in public service without affecting their pension. Also enacted were bills to authorize paid leave for public employees who are certified by the American Red Cross as disaster relief volunteers and for state employees who serve as bone marrow or organ donors. “One of the most important bills to PEF that passed in both houses this year has not been sent to the governor yet for his signature,” Curran said. “The Shadow Agency Bill (S2360/ A4382) is intended to increase public oversight and accountability of certain public authorities and public-benefit corporations that overlap in function with state agencies and often compete for work with state employees. This bill would impose three conditions on certain specified shadow agencies: 1: Increased public disclosure of their operating budgets; 2: Requires specific legislative authorization before any function currently performed by a state agency could be transferred to one of these agencies; and 3: Requires that new employees of these agencies be hired through the civil-service process. Curran recommended PEF members write and call the governor to urge him to sign the bill. “We should emphasize that this bill is intended to protect the public interest and to provide greater public accountability. Because these agencies are performing many traditional governmental functions, they should be subject to the same type of legislative and public oversight that applies to state agencies. This will protect the taxpayers and avoid waste and abuse,” Curran said. Write to: Gov. George Pataki NY State Capitol Albany NY 12224 The Communicator Home Page