CSEA ACTION CENTER: NEWS FROM ALBANY

Governor Calls Special Elections

Governor Cuomo has called a March 20 special election to fill the seats of five members of the New York State Legislature who have left office. The districts are:

Assembly District 93 (Region 3) – Formerly held by Mike Spano

Assembly District 100 (Region 3) – Formerly held by Tom Kirwan

Assembly District 103 (Region 3 & 4) - Formerly held by Marc Molinaro

Assembly District 145 (Region 6) – Formerly held by Mark Schroeder

Senate District 27 (Region 2) – Formerly held by Carl Kruger

Furthermore, it was announced that State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D – Westchester County) will not run for re-election in November. This seat is expected to be heavily contested by both political parties.

CSEA Fights Back Against OCFS Assaults, Use of Prison Labor at DMV

President Danny Donohue spoke out about increasingly dangerous conditions in OCFS facilities statewide. In one facility, 19 staff, including the facility director, recently became victims of violent attacks by youths in their care. President Donohue blames the injuries on insufficient staffing and training. OCFS officials have repeatedly ignored the union’s concerns that front line workers aren’t being given necessary resources and support.

CSEA also came out against a program at the DMV that allows convicted felons to staff DMV call centers. President Donohue questioned how the state can give jobs to convicted felons when thousands of law-abiding New Yorkers are struggling to find work.

Triborough Amendment in the News

The Empire Center, a corporate-funded think-tank, issued a report this week calling for the repeal of the Triborough Amendment in order to provide mandate relief to local governments. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino also called for the repeal of the law.

However, The Wall Street Journal reported that Governor Cuomo will not include the repeal of the law in the Executive Budget.

The Week to Come

The Governor will release his 2012-13 FY executive budget on Tuesday. We will provide a detailed breakdown in next week’s edition of This Week in Albany.