THIS WEEK IN ALBANY

ACT NOW: Your Retirement Security is at Risk!

Governor Cuomo’s 401(k) option will take money away from the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) which will ultimately put your pension in jeopardy.  Please call 1-877-255-9417 and take the time to speak to your legislators to tell them to oppose Tier 6.

For flyers regarding Tier 6, please visit the PAC page and look for the Tier 6 Action Center on the right side.

Get your Family and Friends to Contact their Legislators

A secure retirement is already slipping away from American workers.  Public employees provide essential services to the people of our state everyday. Your retirement security should not be jeopardized to pay for Wall Street’s collapse. Have your friends, family and neighbors call their legislators to Oppose Tier 6 NOW!

Please forward this video around and explain that because of defined benefit pension plans, retired public employees have a huge impact on New York’s economy.  77% of New York retirees continue to live in New York State and contribute $9.5 billion in economic activity and $1.3 billion in property taxes.


CSEA Opposes Dangerous OCFS Budget Proposal

CSEA submitted testimony to the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways & Means Committee in opposition to a state budget proposal that would release violent youths from OCFS facilities and place them back in their communities.

Under this proposal, youths from New York City who have been adjudicated of violent crimes and are currently in OCFS facilities could be moved back to their home communities.  These clients would receive treatment at not-for-profit providers who do not have the trained staff or resources to properly treat them.  These clients pose a direct danger to staff at these facilities as well as the surrounding community.  CSEA has grave concerns about how this proposal will impact public safety and is asking the legislature to reject it.

You can read the testimony on the CSEA website.

Congress Agrees on Payroll Tax Cut Extension

The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have come to a compromise to renew a payroll tax cut for 160 million workers.  The deal also renews expiring jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed, as well as prevents a payment cut for doctors who treat Medicare payments.

Without this compromise, workers would see their Social Security payroll tax contribution increase from 4.2% of salary to 6.2%.  This tax cuts gives the average family an extra $1,000 in their pay checks this year.