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

PEF President Ken Brynien said the union is encouraged by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State Address last week.

“We agree with the governor that we all need to work together to solve the state’s budget problems,” Brynien said. “It’s time for a common sense approach to repair the state’s fiscal situation.”

Union leaders also will meticulously review the governor’s proposed budget when that is released in February.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers State of The State address January 5

PEF leaders will be listening carefully as Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of The State Address Wednesday, January 5 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany at 1 p.m. Cuomo is breaking tradition by delivering his address at the convention center instead of in the state Assembly chamber. Cuomo said the change is important because he wants to deliver a “message to the people.”

Cuomo is expected to outline his plan for a stronger New York including the need to confront the current fiscal crisis and economic challenges.

PEF will post a response on its website after reviewing the State of The State Address and how the union will proceed to protect state jobs and services.

PEF Endorses Cuomo for Governor

PEF announced its endorsement of Democrat Andrew Cuomo for governor at the New York State AFL-CIO COPE Convention held at The Desmond in Colonie last week. The endorsement was the result of a vote by PEF's Executive Board at its quarterly meeting.

"Andrew Cuomo earned our endorsement because of his positions on two key issues for us - reducing the state's wasteful use of consultants, and his plan to rein in hundreds of unaccountable public authorities that are packed with patronage appointments and duplicate services provided by state agencies," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

"We agree with Mr. Cuomo that New York deserves better government especially on these issues."

For a full list of PEF endorsements for 2010, visit the PEF website and click on Political Action.