Statement of PEF President Ken Brynien on State Budget Agreement

Albany - The state budget agreed to by the legislative leaders makes some important improvements from the governor’s original proposal.

We are encouraged the Legislature defended the civil service system against the governor’s attempt to undermine the constitutional principle of merit and fitness.  The budget also removes language that would have authorized the closing of Kingsboro Psychiatric Center and adds important funding for SUNY operated hospitals.

However, in many other ways, this agreement continues the trend toward the government abandoning its responsibilities for the care and protection of people with mental illness and developmental disabilities.  This budget allows the potential decimation of inpatient services for the mentally ill.  It lays the groundwork for privatization of services for the developmentally disabled, and the state is walking away from its duty to protect public safety, by outsourcing juvenile justice.

The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) calls on legislators to refuse to let the state abandon these critical responsibilities.

The governor and the Legislature need to begin recognizing the importance of public services and the work public employees do for the people of our state.  You should not have to be a millionaire to be treated with respect by elected leaders.

ALERT: Effect of Tier 6 on Current Employees

Please be advised, that all current public employees who are eligible but not required to join a public retirement system, will be required to enter Tier 6 if they opt to join the system on or after April 1, 2012, without regard to the date they were hired. 

We are encouraging all members to be aware of this fact and individuals should join the retirement system immediately if they wish to enter Tier 5 rather than Tier 6.  This must be done prior to April 1, 2012.

Thousands of PEF Members Rally at the Capitol Urging Lawmakers to Hold the Line on the State Budget

ALBANY, NY - "It takes might to do what's right!" chanted thousands of state employees represented by the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) rallying at noon today in Albany's West Capitol Park. "This is what democracy looks like!" rang out as they waved blue towels, blew yellow whistles and called on state legislators to hold the line against the governor's attacks on state services and pensions.

"We are New Yorkers and we serve New Yorkers," said PEF President Ken Brynien. "State senators and Assembly members serve New Yorkers too. We must stand together and hold the line against attacks on middle class working families and on the most fragile and powerless among us.

"The governor's budget is packed full of sneak attacks on services to cancer patients, New Yorkers with mental illness and developmental disabilities, and troubled children," Brynien said. "The governor is trying to undercut the legislators' power to represent the New Yorkers who elect them. The governor is demanding the right to sidestep laws that force the state to hire and promote only the most qualified individuals.

"The governor calls it all reform, but we all know and many legislators know that's just so much political spin!" Brynien said. "Mr. Cuomo wants all the power for himself, and that is not democracy!"

Other speakers included state Sen. Diane Savino, PEF Vice Presidents Joe Fox, Pat Baker and Tom Comanzo, as well as representatives of the Civil Service Employees Association and the NYS United Teachers.

PEF Launches Ad Campaign Calling for Greater State Fiscal Responsibility

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is launching a television and Web ad campaign today pointing out the cuts to state services proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his 2012-13 state Executive Budget.

The ads ask the public and state legislators to demand Cuomo stop "washing his hands" of the state's responsibilities and to save services, such as public safety and those for people with cancer, mental illness, or developmental disabilities, "before they go down the drain."

The 30-second TV ad will run on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and Time Warner (YNN) in the Capital District through March 18. They also will run March 8 and 9 on various stations in Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Plattsburgh, New York, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica.

The Web ads will run on the home pages of 13 newspapers throughout the state. The ads are linked to a website with the TV ad and more detailed information about how the governor is proposing to eliminate services. The Web ads will run through March 18.

PEF Raises Concern over the Future of Services for New York's Most Vulnerable Citizens

ALBANY, NY - New York State is on the fast track toward Medicaid managed care that would nearly, if not totally eliminate state-provided mental hygiene services. Today, Pat Baker, vice president of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), warned lawmakers of the long-term implications on the most vulnerable New Yorkers if these proposals go forward.

"Several elements of the proposed Executive Budget aim to provide integrated health care at a much lower cost," Baker said. "What we should pay attention to is a diminishment of quality in services and the unraveling of the safety net on which our most vulnerable citizens rely in times of crisis."

Baker testified at the state Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees' hearing on Mental Hygiene in Albany. The proposals include giving the state Office of Mental Health (OMH) unlimited authority to reduce beds and close facilities statewide with only 30 to 60 days notice and virtually no input from the people who depend on these services or the professionals who provide them.

"One facility slated for closure is Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn, which is identified as the single highest user of mental health services in the state," Baker testified.

Similarly the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) would provide managed care for the disabled by a network of not-for-profit providers.

"Long-term residents of state-operated group homes are being moved out of their homes to make room for individuals being discharged from institutions. For some, these are the only homes they have known for decades. OPWDD claims to put "people first," yet here the people are last, and the money is first. It is shameful," Baker said.

Additionally, the state hopes to privatize the care and security services for sexual offenders now in OMH units. Baker warned lawmakers the state determined these offenders to be too dangerous for release into the community at the end of their prison terms and not to become complicit in creating this threat to public safety.