Other job-security bills pending
Legislature passes OCFS anti-privatization bill
By SHERRY HALBROOK
An anti-privatization bill that prohibits the state from contracting out the operation or management of secure or limited-secure facilities of the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has been passed by both houses of the state Legislature.
The PEF-backed bill, S.6213/A.10290, — which was passed by the Senate in early June and the Assembly in May — also requires the function of custody and security at such facilities be performed by state employees. The bill has not yet been sent to the governor for his signature.
These OCFS facilities house and educate troubled young people placed with or committed to the custody of OCFS by the courts. The facilities provide a safe environment for the young people to receive counseling, education and other services essential to their successful return to their families and communities.
According to PEF Legislative Director Brian Curran, “Some attempts to privatize youth facilities in other states have led to significant problems for the affected communities, including mismanagement, abuse and security lapses.”
Curran also cited research by Yale University which concluded that any short-term financial savings from such privatization would be reversed by the long-term costs of increased recidivism.
Mandating one-year notice
PEF activists are also trying to push three job-security bills through the state Legislature.
They would require the state to give employees, communities and consumers a minimum of 12 months notice before closing or significantly downsizing state facilities or programs at OCFS, the state Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) and the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
(OMRDD).
Bill S.6729/A.10289, which applies to OCFS, and bill S.5463C/A.8698B which applies to DOCS have both passed in the Senate.
The third job-security bill, S.6398/A.9878, applies to OMRDD and has been passed by the Assembly.
These three job-security bills follow the pattern set by PEF-backed legislation enacted several years ago which has proved invaluable in fending off proposals to close state psychiatric centers and other programs operated by the state Office of Mental Health.
Lighting up shadows
PEF is strongly supporting the Public Authority Reform Act, S.7301/A.11414, proposed by state Comptroller Alan Hevesi and state Attorney General Elliot Spitzer which would boost public accountability and establish corporate governance standards for 212 public authorities, such as the Metropolitan Transit Authority the NY Thruway Authority and the NY Racing Authority.
The legislation would also create an independent commission to recommend whether these authorities should continue or if their duties should be transferred to state agencies.
Another anti-privatization bill PEF supports, S.198/A.1726A, would regulate the process state agencies use in awarding contracts for services and would require the agencies to do a cost-benefit analysis before handing the work off to outside contractors.
This bill has passed in the state Assembly and is being reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee.
Check the PEF Information Line and Web site for notice of when the OCFS privatization bill or other important legislation is sent to the governor.
The
Communicator July/August 04
Inside This Issue
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Close corporate tax loopholes
Contract Update: Progress...
OCFS anti-privatization bill
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PEF, DOP salute parole officers
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