CSEA NEWS YOU CAN USE

Cuomo Pays Millions to Recruiting Company

November 15, 2013-- The Cuomo Administration has signed a contract to pay over $20 million in taxpayer money for “talent acquisition services” over the next five years. The contract will pay Rochester-area company Datrose for each public employee hired through the company’s recruitment efforts.

CSEA President Danny Donohue blasted the plan, saying, “They are laying off and undercutting frontline state employees in nearly every agency claiming that taxpayers can't afford necessary services anymore. But money is apparently no object when it comes to filling their political patronage positions."

Tax Commission Releases Report

The New York State Tax Reform and Fairness Commission, established by the Governor in 2012, released its recommended reforms to the state tax code this week. Among its recommendations were a reduction of tax credits in areas such as film production and the financial sector, providing property tax relief to low-income families, and reforming the state’s corporate and estate taxes.

Even before this commission released its report, Cuomo had already called for the creation of a new commission to study taxes, making it clear that the Governor is only interested in recommendations that fit his political priorities.

Despite facing a nearly $2 billion budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, it is expected that the Governor will propose a tax cut in the run up to his 2014 re-election campaign.

Legislative Update

There are still 79 bills awaiting action from the Governor including the Veterans’ Employment Act that is strongly supported by CSEA.