PEF responds to Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State Address

PEF leaders listened carefully as Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his State of the State Address last week. PEF agrees with many of the goals the governor outlined, but there are other points the union has opposed.

PEF President Ken Brynien said the union takes exception to the governor targeting public-sector pensions and his proposal for a new retirement tier. “This is like eating your seed corn,” Brynien said. “It will help you get by now, but you will starve later.”

Brynien said a plan to stop squandering resources is a priority for both the governor and PEF. “The best ways to achieve an efficient government structure is to reduce the number of unaccountable public authorities by merging them into state agencies; eliminating the multiple layers of political patronage appointments; and, reducing the number of high-cost consultants that do work geared for public employees.”