THIS WEEK IN ALBANY

Time Left to Defeat Property Tax Cap

As we previously reported, a tentative agreement has been reached on a property tax cap. However, we still have time to make our opposition known.

The Governor’s proposed property tax cap will cripple the ability of local governments to provide essential services and will necessitate layoffs for hard working New Yorkers. All the while, it will do nothing to lower property taxes.

Call Governor Cuomo at 1-877-255-9417 to oppose his job killing property tax cap.

Deal On Ethics Reform

It is also being reported that the Governor and the Legislature have reached a tentative deal on the major elements of an ethics package and that a bill could emerge shortly. Sources claim that the legislation would replace the existing Commission on Public Integrity with a new agency that would, for the first time, be allowed to police both the executive and legislative branches.

Senator Young Introduces "Renee's law"

Sen. Cathy Young (R-Olean) introduced legislation entitled “Renee’s Law”. The bill stems from the murder of youth counselor Renee C. Greco who was brutally beaten to death while working at a Lockport group home in June 2009.

The bill intends to place juveniles in OCFS operated programs and facilities where they will not be a threat to society and provide a safe environment to both residents and staff. The bill also includes new trainings for staff and provides more disclosure of information about juvenile delinquents and youthful offenders to employees that are placed in their facilities.

Senator Young has always been a leading advocate on OCFS issues and this bill is a step in the right direction to avoid preventable tragedies like the unfortunate incident in Lockport.

CSEA, Organized Labor call for Marriage Equality

CSEA and other unions (NYSUT, PEF, and SEIU) joined with Empire State Pride Agenda at a Capitol news conference this week to express support for the Marriage Equality Act now pending before the state legislature.

The union has long worked against discrimination in many ways and CSEA convention delegates are on record in favor of marriage equality.

“This is a defining civil rights issue of our time,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “We are announcing our support of the Marriage Equality Act in the hope that it will encourage state lawmakers to search their consciences and do what is right to approve this legislation.”

CSEA Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan and Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley participated in the news conference, saying marriage equality is long overdue.

If you are interested in lending your support to the effort, please visit www.prideagenda.org. You can plug in by helping to phone bank, attending Pride festivals, sending a photo letter to your senator (take a photo of you and your family and let your senator know that you support marriage equality for all loving couples), volunteering to meet with your senator in their district or calling the Pride Agenda (212.627.0305 in New York City, 518.472.3330 in the Capital District, 585.271.2420 in Western New York) to find out other ways to get involved.