PEF Endorses Cuomo for Governor

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (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. 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."

"Our members working in the state Department of Law have found state Attorney General Cuomo supportive of PEF's efforts to save the taxpayers' money by reducing the state's reliance on costly private consultants."

"We expect Mr. Cuomo to continue to reduce the state's reliance on consultants when he becomes governor."

"We support Andrew Cuomo's candidacy for governor and look forward to working with him in January," Brynien added.

Full list of PEF endorsements for 2010 are available on the PAC web site



PEF Endorses Richard Brodsky for Attorney General

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) today announced its endorsement of Richard Brodsky for Attorney General.
 
“In the Assembly, Richard Brodsky has led the fight to reform the 700 public authorities that litter state government,” said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.
 
“These authorities all too often duplicate the work of state agencies, wasting taxpayer dollars, operating with less accountability and transparency, and serving as dumping grounds for political cronies. In 2009, as Chair of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, Brodsky spearheaded the enactment of the Public Authorities Reform Act, which has shed much needed light on New York’s shadow government, something PEF has long called for.
 
“Brodsky also has been supportive of PEF’s “Go Public” campaign which includes legislation requiring the state to perform a cost-benefit analysis before entering into contracts for services.
 
“Brodsky has always been responsive to his constituents. He has had an open door policy to hear the concerns of PEF members and has been a strong advocate for the needs of middle-class families. He has proven himself an open and honest candidate and effective leader in the state assembly. We believe those qualities will help make him a strong attorney general.
 
“Brodsky also has sought to safeguard the New York State pension fund. He has sponsored legislation that would allow public pension funds and other institutional investors to recoup damages through the Martin Act from massive investment losses that result from fraudulent practices on Wall Street,” Brynien said.
 
"I am honored to receive the political support from a labor union that has so diligently worked to help its members who provide such a great service to all New Yorkers,” said Richard Brodsky. “I am proud to have worked with President Kenneth Brynien and the members of PEF on reforming how New York’s public authorities do business; shedding light on these Soviet-style bureaucracies. I look forward to campaigning with PEF members as we continue to build a strong field operation throughout New York," Brodsky said.

PEF Endorses Tom DiNapoli for State Comptroller

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) today announced its endorsement of Tom DiNapoli for State Comptroller. As Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli is responsible for managing the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System (NYSLERS), the pension fund that covers most state workers.

“Since taking office, Tom has worked hard to improve the management of this fund, to protect both retirees and taxpayers,” said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

“He has adopted new, stronger ethics standards to prevent conflicts of interest and his reforms have resulted in greater oversight and public accountability. He has identified more than $1.8 billion dollars of cost savings and waste through his expanded audits. He is looking out for New York’s working men and women, and I am pleased to announce PEF’s endorsement of his candidacy,” Brynien said.

“Receiving the endorsement of PEF is truly a great honor and it is my pleasure to accept the backing of the 58,000 members of New York’s professional work force,” said Comptroller DiNapoli. “Voters are facing a choice in this year’s election for comptroller. I share the values of the working men and women of New York State and my record of saving taxpayer money and making every dollar count speaks to that. My opponent’s values are out of step with New Yorkers. He represents all that is wrong with Wall Street. His plans for the office include increasing the tax burden on middle-class families and fundamentally changing the security of our pension system. I thank PEF for standing up for the values which matter to New Yorkers; together we will win this election.”

As a result of Tom DiNapoli’s careful management of the state pension fund, it has been recognized as the ‘Nationwide pension leader’ by Governing Magazine. In addition, the Pew Center, an independent national good government research center, and Institutional Investor magazine cite New York’s pension fund as one of strongest in the country. DiNapoli’s effective management of the pension fund helps to insure income security for thousands of retired workers who depend on their pension checks.

“As Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli recognizes that his efforts to protect the public interest require his office to be staffed by well-qualified professionals who deserve respect and support for their work on behalf of the taxpayers of New York,” Brynien added.

PEF members' Day of Golf raises $5,000 for American Heart Association

COLONIE – Members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) are donating $5,000 today to the American Heart Association (AHA) in the memory of the late PEF Vice President Lou Matrazzo. The check is being presented to the AHA during a meeting of PEF’s Executive Board this morning at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Colonie.

One hundred thirty-six PEF members and retirees raised the $5,000 when they participated in the union’s first Lou Matrazzo Golf Tournament, held June 30 at the Mohawk River Country Club in Rexford. The union members used their vacation time to attend the event.

“This donation represents our commitment to fighting our nation’s number one killer – heart disease,” said PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

“Members from a wide range of state agencies came together in memory of our late vice president Lou Matrazzo, creating a real sense of community and a shared goal of making a difference,” Brynien said.

“We are honored to accept this donation from the members of PEF. These funds will help us carry out our mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.” Said Ashley Edwards, regional executive director of the American Heart Association.

At the golf tournament, PEF member Patty Mason who works at the State Insurance Fund, won the 50/50 drawing and donated the $250.00 prize to the AHA.

Lou Matrazzo was a beloved leader of PEF and a fixture at the union over the last decade as a steward, Executive Board member, Albany-area regional coordinator, vice president and chair of the PEF Contract Committee. Lou suffered from heart disease and died suddenly in March 2009.

Quality of Care at Risk Amid Proposed Changes at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Manhattan - A member of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) with 26-years experience caring for the developmentally disabled warned a Senate task force of the dangers related to recent cost-cutting initiatives at the agency.

Ed Snow, an Intermediate Care Facility Program Manager at Sunmount DDSO, testified about changes related to Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) which is leading to increased caseloads and a substantial decrease in the number of face-to-face visits with consumers. (MSC assists community based developmentally disabled consumers and their families in gaining access to supports and services appropriate to their needs.)

“These drastic changes will severely and negatively impact those consumers served by the state,” Snow said. “Case managers will now only meet with their clients, face-to-face in their homes once each year, as part of the cost-cutting measure. How can we effectively update a consumer’s care by only seeing that consumer once?” Snow said.

Higher caseloads which have recently increased from a ratio of 1:30 to as high as 1:50 expected this Fall is transforming MSC from a consumer-based service to a paper-based service.

“That is not in the best interest of the consumer,” Snow said. “Private providers already cherry pick the easiest consumers, leaving the state with the most challenging to serve consumers. We have become the provider of last resort, and now more than ever, quality of care for our consumers is in jeopardy,” Snow testified.

The agency’s own website boasts of a mission to help people with developmental disabilities live richer lives by putting people first. The changes related to MSC severely limits the hands-on work case managers currently provide and seems to put cost cutting ahead of the people it serves.

“We urge the task force to take a closer look at salaries and qualifications of employees at private providers when considering recommendations for cost savings. This is where savings can be realized without compromising the needs of consumers and the agency’s vital mission.” Snow added.

Snow gave his testimony to the Senate Task Force on Government Efficiency exploring spending at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). PEF represents 4,800 members at OPWDD.