PEF President Roger Benson talks with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno at a Legislative Reception in Albany. Photo by Fred Moody.

By Roger E. Benson
The conditions that gave rise to this years’ state budget had all the ingredients for disaster — a stagnant economy; multi-year, multi-billion-dollar deficits; court-mandated increases in school aid; Medicaid and public-pension costs draining money from county governments — conditions that in the past would have led to job cuts and layoffs for our members.

This years’ budget, as imperfect as it is shaping up to be, reflects the influence of our reputation as a militant and mobilized union and the political strength we have built over the last eight years. 

We have used political action, mobilization and public relations to build a foundation of activism that has allowed us better access to legislators and even to the governor, and created opportunities for us to ensure the job security of our members. 

As a measure of our influence, it came as no surprise that on lobby day early in March legislative leaders and committee chairs were all aware of PEF’s positions on budget items and were all supportive. 

When interest groups were advocating the shutdown of state government and were willing to use our members as pawns in budget negotiations, the governor gave a personal commitment that he would prevent that from occurring.

Political influence doesn’t just happen. It has to be earned. Our success, so far, is due to the efforts of our members in reaching out to lawmakers and advocating for PEF’s issues, and, even before that, to our members’ involvement in last falls’ election campaigns. 

As I write this, the budget bills and resolutions that the Senate and Assembly passed address 22 of the 25 budget priorities we had identified in our budget analysis. We can be proud of what we have achieved in our budget fight, but until the final budget is approved, the process is incomplete. 

We must guard against complacency. This year, as has been tried in past years, the Legislature and the governor are working with conference committees to complete the budget. The tough trade-offs reached in the committee negotiations that will lead to a final budget could still endanger the restorations that we have worked so hard over the past three months to achieve. 

We must remain vigilant and keep the pressure on our elected leaders. We must work to ensure that when the final budget accord is reached, the interests of our members and the services we provide to the citizens of the state are sustained.