DONOHUE CALLS GOV'S BUDGET CHOICES POOR

CSEA President Danny Donohue (center)

leads the largest employee union in New York State

with nearly 300,000 members

photo: Ove Overmyer

Albany, N.Y.-- Governor Paterson's action today directing another 11 percent across-the-board cut in state operations reflects poor management and bad public policy. State Executive Branch operations account for less than 10 percent of the total state budget, yet this is the only area the governor continues to target for cuts.

"Lives will be put at risk and services will be undermined by the governor's latest action," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "Meanwhile, the governor has not addressed the problem of top-heavy management in state operations: only about 50 management/confidential personnel were approved for the administration's buyout plan while thousands of lower-paid positions held by people who actually deliver front-line services to the public every day have been eliminated by attrition and reduction."

He added, "The public is not well served by Governor Paterson's poor choices and misplaced priorities."