PEF responds to governor’s Executive Budget proposals for 2010-11
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 12:15PM The governor’s proposed 2010-11 Executive Budget calls for a quarter-of-a-billion dollars in negotiated give-backs from state employees, when the savings could easily be achieved by reducing the state’s reliance on costly, private consultants.
PEF applauds the governor for recognizing savings can be achieved by reducing the use of consultants. The governor recently proposed to reduce the use of information technology consultants for an estimated savings of as much as $15 million per-year. The governor also identified a savings in his proposed budget by reducing the state’s use of more costly private-contract insurance examiners.
PEF President Ken Brynien said the governor’s consultant reduction plan is only the tip of the iceberg and does not go far enough. PEF’s more aggressive proposal to cut the use of consultants across-the-board in state government can easily achieve the quarter-of-a billion-dollars the governor is targeting from the state work force to close the budget gap.
Brynien said he will not ask members to reopen the contract PEF negotiated with the state in good faith, when many PEF members sit alongside more costly, private contractors who do the same work.
Brynien said PEF is willing to discuss issues that do not involve reopening the PS&T Agreement. He said the union is also waiting for more information on the proposed closures and consolidations the governor has suggested for the state Office of Children and Family Services.
PEF is waiting for more details and will continue to review and examine the proposals made by the governor.
PEF has also identified significant potential savings for the state, such as the reduction in the use of consultants and ways to reduce workplace injuries and their associated costs. PEF has communicated these proposals to the governor.
Check the PEF Web site for more budget updates.