PEF Provides Cost Savings to DOT's Two-Year Capital Plan

ALBANY, NY - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) today provided examples of ways the state can save an estimated $55.6 million to $84.3 million a year. The savings can be achieved by having state employees do between 50 percent and 90 percent of the work currently done by more expensive private consultants at the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

Edward Lucas, PEF Executive Board Member and DOT Civil engineer, testified at an Assembly hearing on DOT's two-year capital plan. Lucas provided testimony that showed how much the state can save by having state employees do the work currently being done at a much higher cost by consultants.

"Now more than ever the state simply can't afford to continue wasteful spending," Lucas said. "Our research shows the cost, on average, of a DOT engineer, including benefits, is $50.11 an hour. Comparable private consultant engineers charge the state $82.09 or $30 more an hour," Lucas testified.

DOT staffing levels are currently at the lowest levels in DOT history. The department lost nearly 750 employees through the retirement incentives and will shoulder more than 10 percent of Gov. David Paterson's December 31 layoffs. As a result of the work force reductions at DOT, the agency is increasing its reliance on costly consultant engineers.

PEF only has data for two-thirds of the current fiscal year, but it already indicates capital projects consultant spending is higher in three categories directly related to in-house staff employment levels.

"Consultant expenditures are approximately $10 million higher than at this time last year in the bridge inspection, engineering supervision and material testing expenditure categories," Lucas said.

PEF has proposed several solutions for savings at DOT and other agencies. PEF is strongly urging legislation that will require state agencies to perform a cost-benefit analysis before entering into any consultant contract valued at more than $500 thousand dollars. The union is calling on the Division of Budget to set savings targets for each state agency for consultant spending and to require penalties for failure to file reports under the contract disclosure law. PEF also issued a warning to legislators that work force reductions will further drive up costs as agencies like DOT rely on more costly consultants and contractors.

Full Text of Testimony

PEF to Paterson - Really?

PEF blasts Paterson’s grant giveaways during fiscal crisis

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) points out once again the work force reductions as ordered by Gov. David Paterson have never been about saving money and they should stop.

“How can this governor think that authorizing $16.7 million in grants from the governors member item account to pay for things like promoting a New Jersey Super Bowl in the future is the best use of taxpayer dollars during this financial crisis?” asked PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

“Right now, hundreds of our members are trying to figure out how they are going to continue to support their families as we enter the holiday season while Paterson is directing millions to pet projects.

“If this was really about saving money, the governor would have offered the early retirement incentive (ERI) much earlier to allow for more savings. He would have broadened the incentive, and he would now extend the offer to allow more state employees to leave state service. If this was really about saving money, the governor would support the cost-benefit analysis bill to require a cost-benefit analysis before state agencies contract out work to higher-priced consultants,” Brynien added.

PEF notes Assemblyman John McEneny recently spoke out against Gov. Paterson’s plan to lay off hundreds of state workers at the close of the calendar year. In an interview which aired Thursday, December 2 on WTEN, Channel 10 Albany, McEneny said there was no need to go forward with the layoffs at this time as a result of a recent report that tax revenues are up by almost $600 million this past quarter.

“PEF has been warning that further cuts to the state work force would have a serious impact on the ability of state employees to provide state services,” said Brynien. “We’ve also been offering savings solutions but this governor will hear none of it.”

On Tuesday, December 7, PEF leaders will be testifying at an Assembly hearing on the state Department of Transportation two-year capital plan providing examples of ways the state can save an estimated $55.6 million to $84.3 million a year. The savings can be achieved by having state employees do between 50 percent and 90 percent of the work currently done by more expensive private consultants at the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on work force reductions

ALBANY, NY -- Governor Paterson's announcement this morning of even more reductions in the state work force through layoffs is an outrage, completely unnecessary and illegal. PEF will hold the governor to the memorandum of understanding he has with the union not to impose layoffs through the end of this year. Most important however is the fact the governor is ignoring the responsibility of providing state services.

The state has 11,500 fewer employees today than in 2008 and the governor continues to call for deeper cuts. The fact is, the quality services on which taxpayers depend have never been more at risk than they are today. The governor remarked today in a radio broadcast the cuts could lead to longer waits and reduced hours of availability at the state Department of Motor Vehicles and fortunately the cuts will not affect snow removal. What he should be concentrating on is the vital services that are at risk.

It's time for the governor to ask himself which state services he is willing to tell taxpayers they will have to do without. Will it be fewer bridge inspections or fewer inspections of the food we eat? Is he ready to roll the dice on whether our water supply is thoroughly inspected? What about calls to child abuse hotlines? Will callers be willing to hold the line?

What's worse, this has never been about saving money. If it was really about saving money, the governor would have offered the early retirement incentive (ERI) much earlier to allow for more savings. He would have broadened the incentive, and he would now extend the offer to allow more state employees to leave state service. If it was really about savings the governor would be allowing vacancies to be filled with new entry level employees at a savings to the state instead of allowing agencies to rack up overtime. If this was really about saving the state money, the governor would support the cost-benefit analysis bill to require a cost-benefit analysis before state agencies contract out work to higher priced consultants.

Clearly services are at risk with fewer state employees able to provide them. Yet given the choice of layoffs or an ERI, PEF supports the incentive. It's time for the governor to stop the charade and not pass on to a new administration the damaging results of his poor planning.

Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on work force reductions

ALBANY, NY -- Governor Paterson's announcement this morning of even more reductions in the state work force through layoffs is an outrage, completely unnecessary and illegal. PEF will hold the governor to the memorandum of understanding he has with the union not to impose layoffs through the end of this year. Most important however is the fact the governor is ignoring the responsibilty of providing state services.

The state has 11,500 fewer employees today than in 2008 and the governor continues to call for deeper cuts. The fact is, the quality services on which taxpayers depend have never been more at risk than they are today. The governor remarked today in a radio broadcast the cuts could lead to longer waits and reduced hours of availability at the state Department of Motor Vehicles and fortunately the cuts will not affect snow removal. What he should be concentrating on is the vital services that are at risk.

It's time for the governor to ask himself which state services he is willing to tell taxpayers they will have to do without. Will it be fewer bridge inspections or fewer inspections of the food we eat? Is he ready to roll the dice on whether our water supply is thoroughly inspected? What about calls to child abuse hotlines? Will callers be willing to hold the line?

What's worse, this has never been about saving money. If it was really about saving money, the governor would have offered the early retirement incentive (ERI) much earlier to allow for more savings. He would have broadened the incentive, and he would now extend the offer to allow more state employees to leave state service. If it was really about savings the governor would be allowing vacancies to be filled with new entrylevel employees at a savings to the state instead of allowing agencies to rack up overtime. If this was really about saving the state money, the governor would support the cost-benefit analysis bill to require a cost-benefit analysis before state agencies contract out work to higher priced consultants.

Clearly services are at risk with fewer state employees able to provide them. Yet given the choice of layoffs or an ERI, PEF supports the incentive. It's time for the governor to stop the charade and not pass on to a new administration the damaging results of his poor planning.

DEC Commissioner’s firing sheds light on staffing concerns

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) has been sounding the alarm on the latest round of work force reductions and the negative affect they will have on state services for months. Now one of the governor’s own commissioners has raised a red flag and it appears to have cost him his job.

“Eleven thousand, three hundred eighteen (roughly 100 jobs each week), that’s how many state executive branch jobs have been eliminated since the governor declared the state was in a fiscal crisis more than two years ago,” said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

“State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis knows first-hand how work force reductions affect vital services. Yet, when Grannis voiced those concerns to the Paterson administration he found himself out of a job,” Brynien said.

“DEC is in turmoil as a result of drastically reduced staff at a time when numerous critically important environmental issues need to be addressed,” added Environmental Program Specialist and PEF Executive Board member Wayne Bayer. “Without adequate professional and competent staff there is the potential for serious harm to public health and safety.”

“The issues raised in the DEC memo released to the public are not new to the professional staff. We have been telling the Legislature and governor for years our staff shortages are resulting in drive-by inspections and triage management. Any additional cuts will prevent DEC from fulfilling it's mission, and statutory and regulatory responsibilities,” Bayer added.

PEF will continue to fight further cuts to services and seek to restore the damaging cuts that have already occurred, including, those at but not limited to, the DEC.

“As a union, we know this is not the New York we want. The new governor, the Legislature and the public must decide if this is the New York they want,” Brynien said.