Albany, N.Y.-- The usually noisy budget season was an oddly quiet one despite the deep cuts in spending. Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue said on April 2 that the lack of push-back from our organization was based on the reality that the fiscal problems the state faces are dire.
But he also called allowing the surcharge on those making $200,000 or more, and couples earning $300,000 or more “insane.” An Assembly plan to increase taxes those making $1 million or more was also rejected.
“We were pushing for the millionaires tax, because we knew that it was insane to let that sunset and then have a $5 billion deficit built in to what next year is, we were pushing on other issues. But we recognized that we all have to do something. The governor’s plan in total isn’t a bad plan, but where it comes out is the question. How do you do it?”
Donohue added that it’s difficult to achieve the $450 million in public-employee concessions built into the $132.5 billion budget, which was approved Thursday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who began negotiating with CSEA late last month, has said he would seek 9,800 layoffs if the concessions aren’t agreed to.
The contract for most state workers expired March 31.
Donohue said layoffs are avoidable and mentioned an early retirement plan as one option to stave off worker reductions.
“I would hope we can, because any layoff is a failure of government,” he said. “If at a time when the entire country is screaming jobs, jobs, jobs, that’s a failure of government.”
Cuomo, asked earlier this evening about the negotiations with unions, said talks were going well.
“Obviously we said layoffs are last resort,” Cuomo said. “You could (avoid layoffs). The question is will we. I don’t know.”
To find out more about Danny's conversation with Capitol Tonight, please play the video.
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