The Voice Reporter

OCCUPY ROCHESTER: Still Going Strong

2012-02-27T18:09:00.000-05:00

8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA THIS NOVEMBER

2012-02-26T18:08:00.000-05:00

AMERICA HAS BEEN BOUGHT AND SOLD BY CORPORATE THUGS

2012-02-26T15:47:00.001-05:00

Rochester, N.Y-- Through the misty stench that defines the GOP nominating process, some things have actually become more clear as we enter the 2012 presidential election cycle. By no means do these following concepts apply to just the POTUS race, but to every local election from your Congress representative right down to your village dog catcher.

When will voters support candidates who will tax the rich in a meaningful amount? A 1 percent tax increase on billionaires is both cowardly and tokenism at its worst. Corporations and the super-rich should be made to return the money they stole from the American people a few years ago. If the only candidates on the ticket continue to force poor and working people to pay for the "deficit" created by the rich and the Pentagon, throw the bums out. Placating the rich is unacceptable regardless of which party sells us out.

It's also time to end the store-bought elections that the Supreme Court sanctioned in the Citizens United case. Democracy cannot exist if elected offices go to the highest bidder. Support only candidates who oppose these rigged, undemocratic charades we now call elections.

Americans should vote only for candidates who want to shut down our impossibly over-crowded prisons, and to replace repression with educational opportunities and jobs. If all of the potential candidates are afraid to oppose the police-state mentality that currently dominates our domestic society, then raise your voice a little louder this election cycle. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once pointed out, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

The American people have been disenfranchised from the electoral process, and from any semblance of democratic decision-making. We have been bought and sold by corporate hooligans. The only way out of this is to fight back against these thugs. Continuing to support the "lesser of two evils" is suicidal when the only choices we are given consist of "candidates" chosen by our enemies.

Wake up America. Multi-national corporations pull all the strings and are creating a new America right under our noses-- one for the haves and one for the have-nots.

-This commentary does not reflect the views of CSEA as an organization.

Governor Cuomo: Say It Isn't So

2012-02-26T14:23:00.000-05:00

CSEA ACTIVISTS: DATES TO REMEMBER

2012-02-24T19:55:00.002-05:00

Call Governor Cuomo Wednesday (3/1) & Thursday – No Tier 6

The battle against Tier 6 is heating up. This week we saw Wall Street funded organizations continue to attack Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for telling the truth about the pitfalls of the Tier 6 proposal. We can not let Wall Street funded organizations takeover this conversation – we need to let our voices be heard.

This Wednesday and Thursday, please call Governor Cuomo at 1-877-255-9417 and tell him Tier 6 affects all of us - retirees, current employees, and future workers. Tell him to stop pushing for a Tier 6.

Budget Fight Heats Up

While the State Legislature was not in session this week, budget discussions have been taking place. While the budget is officially due by April 1, there are rumors that it may be adopted as early as March 22.

Below are key dates regarding the budget. These dates are not set in stone. Always remember that you may be needed on a moments notice to call or e-mail your legislators when each chamber begins to take action on the budget.

February 29     Governor Cuomo Call-in Day

March 6          CSEA / AFSCME Lobby Day

March 12          Senate & Assembly propose their one-house budget bills

March 13 Senate & Assembly budget conference committees begin to meet to resolve budget

March 19-20    Joint Legislative Conference Committee issues its final budget proposal

March 19-22    Final budget bills are voted on by Senate & Assembly

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE GOP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID?

2012-02-24T08:37:00.000-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- President Obama was recently in Miami talking about gas prices (see video below), making a pitch for an "all-of-the-above" energy policy that would rely on oil production, alternative energy, and improved fuel-efficiency standards. Anticipating the Republican response, Obama added, "Anybody who tells you we can drill our way out of this problem doesn't know what they're talking about, or just isn't telling you the truth."

If an "all-of-the-above" policy sounds vaguely familiar, there's a good reason: as recently as 2008, it's what Republicans said they wanted, too. But like health care mandates, cap and trade, the DREAM Act, the payroll tax cut, and contraception coverage, the GOP is now against what they were for a few years ago.

Regardless, Republicans aren't just demanding expansive drilling. They're also pushing foolish talking points that's quickly become ubiquitous on the right. The GOP must think the American people are stupid-- that we can't figure this out on our own. House Speaker John Boehner says the president would like everyone to forget that gas prices have doubled over the past three years while he consistently blocked and slowed the production of American-made energy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

These talking points are just ridiculous nonsense; oil production has increased every year under Obama's presidency, and is now higher than it was at any point in Bush's second term. But it's the first part that's important.

At first look, the GOP line may seem compelling. Indeed, at a certain level it's just a matter of arithmetic -- either the price has doubled or it hasn't.

But for those who care about context and a more thorough understanding of the situation, the relevant details make all the difference.

Most American consumers know the price of gas always rises in the summer-- and predictably, prices will go down right about the time when the kids go back to school.

Nothing Santorum or Boehner or Gingrich or Obama says is going to change the fact that the United States is an increasingly small part of the global demand picture. When China, India, or Brazil get richer, their citizens start trading bicycles for scooters and mopeds for cars. They’re flying more airplanes. This increases the global demand for oil and pushes prices up. All else being equal, this is inconvenient for American drivers.

But it’s far from clear that it’s permanently harmful to the American economy. American firms are hoping to export goods and services to rapidly growing economies. Every time Boeing sells a plane to an Asian airline, that increases the demand for jet fuel and makes driving marginally more expensive. But we’re better off in the fast-growing world than in the slow-growth, cheap-gas world of three years ago.

WATCH A SOBER CLEAR-EYED THINKER NAMED TOM DINAPOLI TALK PENSIONS

2012-02-23T20:59:00.001-05:00

Watch DiNapoli Disputes Tier VI on PBS. See more from New York NOW.

CSEA LOCAL 828 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE; DEADLINE APRIL 18

2012-02-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

LIBRARY WORKERS: WE MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE

2012-02-21T00:15:00.000-05:00

MAKE CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE

2012-02-20T21:21:00.003-05:00

Tax Breaks are Breaking the 99%

Ward’s Natural Science Is Taking Off With Our Money!

WHAT: Press Event to demand that corporations start paying their fair share, rather than raiding our local and state budgets while cutting jobs!

WHEN: Tuesday, February 21^st
11:15 AM

WHERE:  County of Monroe IDA
                Ebenezer Watts Conference Center
                49 S. Fitzhugh Street
                Rochester, NY 14614

DETAILS: Corporations in NYS aren’t paying their fair share in taxes. We need to rein in over $8 billion dollars in corporate giveaways to support vital public services like education and health care, while preserving and growing the good jobs that working families need. VWR/Ward’s Natural Science has laid off 41 warehouse workers after receiving tax break after tax break from the Erie County IDA as far back as 1971. Now they’re getting tax breaks in Rochester and promising that community they’ll create jobs. It’s time to stop the madness.

For more information, contact Andy at the Coalition for Economic Justice at 892-5877 or andy@buffalojwj.org

ANTI-EQUALITY NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY

2012-02-19T19:23:00.000-05:00

HOMELESSNESS: DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

2012-02-19T15:18:00.000-05:00

TIER 6: POP GOES YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS

2012-02-18T16:43:00.000-05:00

IT'S WORTH ONE MORE LOOK: 2011 WAS NO ORDINARY YEAR

2012-02-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

THIS WEEK IN ALBANY

2012-02-17T21:24:00.001-05:00

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.

CSEA ELECTIONS OVER; LEADERSHIP LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

2012-02-16T09:11:00.000-05:00

Danny Donohue

ALBANY, NY (02/15/2012) -- CSEA President Danny Donohue, one of the most influential and well-respected leaders in the American labor movement, has been returned to office without opposition.

"These are some of the toughest times CSEA has faced in our 102 year history, but there is only one way to go and that is forward," Donohue said. "I want to thank CSEA members for their confidence in my leadership."

CSEA - New York's leading union - is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. The union has grown stronger and larger under Donohue's presidency, achieving unprecedented organizing success in the public and private sectors and today boasts a membership 300,000 strong. Donohue's vision led to CSEA recently becoming the representative for more than 25,000 independent child care providers across the state, under a new model of union representation. Donohue also significantly strengthened the union's role and influence in both the AFL-CIO and AFSCME, where he serves with distinction as an International Vice President.

In tough economic times, Donohue continues to fight for fairness for middle-class New Yorkers, while protecting public services and the benefits workers have fought so hard to get. The union's most recent contract with New York state, negotiated in a challenging fiscal environment, kept union members working while protecting their rights and benefits. CSEA negotiates contracts on behalf of members in more than 1,100 bargaining units.

Born in Brooklyn, Donohue began his career in public service as an attendant at Central Islip Psychiatric Center. He burst into CSEA's leadership ranks in 1975 when he won a write-in campaign to become local president there. He became increasingly active in CSEA at region and statewide levels, including becoming Long Island Region President at a very young age.

Donohue was the first Long Islander elected to a CSEA statewide office when he won a five-way race for executive vice president in 1988. In 1994, he became CSEA's 23rd statewide president.

Expanding CSEA's outreach and community presence has been a hallmark of his leadership. Donohue's down to earth personality is his greatest asset, allowing him to connect with both rank and file union members and elected officials.

"There is no force in New York more powerful than CSEA when we work together," Donohue said. "But no CSEA member should take anything for granted. We have to communicate and support each other. There is a responsibility on the part of leaders to provide information, create understanding and build solidarity, but there is also a responsibility on the part of each individual member to stay informed and involved. No one should expect things will just get better unless you are willing to participate.

Also returned to office for four-year terms without opposition were CSEA Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan and Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley. Treasurer Joseph McMullen was re-elected.

Sullivan was first elected Executive Vice President of the union in 1994. Sullivan began her professional career as a social worker and staff trainer in the Herkimer County Department of Social Services. She was CSEA's first local government division member to serve in statewide office. Sullivan is an International Vice President of AFSCME. In 2009 she was elected president of the Capital District Area Labor Federation, which represents 120,000 union members and their families across 11 counties in the state's greater Capital Region.

Berkley was first elected CSEA Statewide Secretary in 2008. Berkley's union activism began at the Brooklyn Developmental Center. A longtime union activist, Berkley remains committed today to the ongoing struggle for social, racial and economic justice for workers and communities.

McMullen, who has served as treasurer since 2007, is responsible for overseeing CSEA's budget and ensuring the union's fiscal responsibility. McMullen is a trained electrician who worked at the State University of New York at Oneonta for 30 years.

Lester Crockett, a longtime activist and leader from the New York State Insurance Fund was elected Metropolitan Region president. Crockett filled the position since last fall following the retirement of George Boncoraglio.

Capital Region President Kathy Garrison was re-elected to her fourth term.

Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo, Central Region President Colleen Wheaton and Western Region President Flo Tripi were all returned to office without opposition.

The election also filled seats on the union's 122 member statewide Board of Directors.

LOCAL 828 NEXT WAVE MEETING FEB 28

2012-02-16T08:55:00.000-05:00

REDISTRICTING HEARING COMES TO ROCHESTER; LATFOR GETS AN EARFUL

2012-02-15T12:38:00.000-05:00

Rochester, N.Y. -- A proposed redrawing ofNew York State’s political districts came under intense criticism this pastweek, as civil rights leaders said the maps did not fairly represent blacks, Hispanicsand the LGBT community in an increasingly diverse state. Some Democrats haveeven gone as far as saying they would file a lawsuit asking a judge tointervene.

Theproposed State Senate and State Assembly maps, released last week, are beingdisputed by several good-government groups, newspaper editorial boards and Gov.Andrew M. Cuomo, who called into an Albany television program on Monday todeclare the proposal “hyperpartisan,” and vowed to veto it.

Locally, Rochesterresident Ove Overmyer testified before the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research andReapportionment (LATFOR)commission Wednesday morning in council chambers of the Monroe County Legislature.You can read a transcript of his testimony below.

The critics say that many of the proposedlegislative districts seem to have been drawn to protect the interests of incumbents,and that the Legislature has not yet proposed a new map of Congressionaldistricts, even though a judge has ordered that the primary elections for Houseraces be held in June instead of September.

But among thestrongest objections are those being raised by groups representing minorityvoters, who had hoped that the decennial redistricting would give them fair andequal representation.

One thing is for sure, the battle to draw thedistrict lines with fairness and equality has just begun.

Below is the LATFOR testimony of Mr. Overmyer.

Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment

Redistricting Hearing
Monroe County Office Building
Monroe County Legislative Chambers, rm. 406
February 15, 2012

Testimony of: Ove Overmyer

Ove Overmyer

Thank you for allowing me to testify today. My name is Ove Overmyer. I am employed as a librarian with The City of Rochester. In the interest of full disclosure-- I am also an elected officer of the Civil Service Employees Association, New York’s largest public employee union. I am president of the City of Rochester Library Workers, Monroe County Local 828 Unit 7420.

Among many other responsibilities, I am also a writer and photographer for The Empty Closet, New York State’s oldest continually published LGBT newspaper with a print subscription of over 10,000 readers. I’m also a caregiver of three teenage boys who attend the Rochester City School District.

But I’m not here today to talk to you about a union agenda, media concerns or parental responsibilities—I’m here representing myself as a constituent who cares deeply about his family and community, and as a person who cares about advancing policies that allows citizens to fully participate in the democratic process.

I live on a small residential street called Canfield Place in the city—it’s a very quiet one way dead end street near the East End and Monroe Ave areas. The houses on my street were built at the turn of the 20th Century—almost all of them are owner occupied homes. I have been residing there for 6 years-- I previously rented an apartment on East Main Street near the Auditorium Theatre. I moved to Rochester in 1996 after living twenty years on Long Island and New York City.

When I moved here, I was looking for a neighborhood that was culturally rich and diverse. As a labor and LGBT activist, I was also looking for volunteer opportunities and found my way to the east side of the city, donating many hours at the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley which is now located in the Auditorium Theatre in the Neighborhood of the Arts.

As you may know, this part of Rochester, the east, southeast and Southwedge part of the city, is a contiguous community of interest if there ever was one. The new Assembly district maps for The City of Rochester, specifically the newly redesigned 137 and 138 Districts, represent the ultimate partisan gerrymandered districts people just love to hate for obvious reasons to all who live here.

In an article written Feb. 7, 2012 in the Wall Street Journal, The Senate's Republican majority was quoted as saying the proposed lines comply with all voting rights acts and protect the voices of minority voters. I would argue when it comes to the Senate and Assembly Districts covering the Rochester area and its gay residents, nothing could be further from the truth.

Presently, I reside in the 131st District and we presently have a contained community of interest. The new district maps have now been butchered into objectionable puzzle pieces of some unknown value and quantity. The City of Rochester is also divided into three senate districts, which makes even less sense.

I would like to submit for the record, according to the US Census, The City of Rochester has the fourth highest number of self-identified gay households in New York State. The 14607 area zip code, basically the contiguous neighborhoods I’m referring to, is the sixth gayest zip code in New York State—including all five boroughs of New York City and Yonkers.

If communities of interest are drawn to reflect the social, cultural, racial, ethnic, and economic interest’s common to the population of the area-- we must reconsider redrawing these lines on the east side of The City of Rochester.

If you want to help build our city and help our small businesses grow, please keep in mind when you review your plan that our community of interest is a local population that already has common social and economic interests that benefit from the unified political representation provided by inclusion within a single political district—which now happens to be the 131st District.

I know many area residents who identify as gay or lesbian who chose to buy a house in the East End, Neighborhood of the Arts, or Monroe Avenue area because of its rich diversity and because it was populated by many gay friendly businesses.

I submit to you that the proposed Districts 137 and 138 deeply divide our neighborhoods with similar identity, racial and economic characteristics.

To be even more direct, I was deeply disappointed when I first saw these redrawn districts. I feel as if the rug has been pulled out from underneath me. You took me and my neighbors, many of them self-identified same-sex households on Lafayette Park, Gardiner Street and Buena Vista Place and put us in a district that could in essence, might as well be half way around the world. We have very little in common with downtown or North east residents— if you take a look at the City of Rochester road map, you can clearly see a gargantuan barrier moat called the Inner Loop which divides us like oil and water.

Please believe me when I tell you I know my community— I have worked and volunteered in every corner of this city and know our Rochester residents and communities of interest very well.

I implore you to keep my neighborhood intact. It makes more sense to assemble the Northwest part of the City together and keep the South, Southeast, Southwedge part of the city together.

I would also add that I recommend that LATFOR undergo substantial revision for proposed Assembly Districts 137 and 138.

I also believe that district lines should be fairly drawn pursuant to a set of clear criteria and be executed in a non-political manner.

If we value traditional redistricting factors, like contiguity, identity, compactness and respect for county, city, town, village, and school district lines whenever possible, we have failed miserably at our first attempt to redistrict.

I also recommend we establish a permanent Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw boundaries for congressional and state legislative districts.

In conclusion, I see redistricting in New York as a system that has prioritized incumbency and partisan interests over democratic representation. This process needs to be about the people and not the politics. To help restore faith in our State government, we need to reform the system.

By considering my suggestions and recommendations, I would argue that this process would take a giant leap forward toward greater independence, transparency, and a commitment to fair representation and equality.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ove Overmyer
Rochester, N.Y. 14607

GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS: MOVE TO AMEND!

2012-02-12T18:27:00.001-05:00

STOP THE LIES: THE TRUTH ABOUT NYS PENSIONS

2012-02-11T16:54:00.000-05:00

CUOMO'S DIRTY WORK

2012-02-11T16:31:00.000-05:00

THIS WEEK IN ALBANY; SAY NO TO TIER 6

2012-02-11T11:46:00.001-05:00

Fight Tier 6

CSEA is fighting the Governor's proposed Tier 6 pension plan. If he succeeds in getting Tier 6 passed into law, retirement security for all New Yorkers will be in jeopardy. 401(k)’s were never intended to take the place of pensions. They were designed to be savings vehicles to supplement pensions and social security income. The financial crisis of 08-09 dramatically demonstrated how a financial collapse can decimate 401(k) retirement savings.

Tier 6 provides no short-term savings to the State or localities. In fact, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has warned that Tier 6 would end up costing the state more in the long run, instead of less. The only thing it would do is have people work longer, pay more and benefit less.

Please take a moment to send your legislators a Valentine FAX asking them to oppose Tier 6. Click here.

State Comptroller DiNapoli Warns of Governor Power Grab

This week, Comptroller DiNapoli warned that the Executive Budget would “dramatically increase” Governor Cuomo’s abilities to move money from one agency to another, without regard to the original appropriation of the funds. CSEA opposes these changes that will reduce transparency and consolidate even more power under the Governor. As a result, public oversight and accountability involving our tax dollars would be at risk.

Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos and Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver joined DiNapoli in expressing concerns over Cuomo’s proposals that could leave the Legislature out of crucial funding decisions.

AFSCME/CSEA LOBBY DAY IS TUESDAY MARCH 6; GET ON THE BUS

2012-02-09T18:22:00.001-05:00

PUBLIC HEARING ON STATE REDISTRICTING SET FOR FEB. 15 IN ROCHESTER

2012-02-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- A public hearing on state Assembly and Senate redistricting will be held in Monroe County on Wednesday, February 15.

The State Legislature redraws district lines every 10 years, based on Census data. The lines determine who will represent you in the Assembly and Senate. Proposed maps were released recently and can be viewed here.

The public hearing will take place on 11:30 a.m. on February 15 in the Chambers at the Monroe County Office Building, Room 406 on the fourth floor, 39 West Main Street.

Anyone interested in presenting a five-minute oral testimony regarding whether the community's best interests are being represented under the proposed new lines can sign up here or call Diana Weissman at 212-618-1101. People planning to speak at the hearing must provide 10 copies of their testimony.

TIER 6: WE CAN'T GO FOR THAT

2012-02-07T20:29:00.000-05:00

RENEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NOW

2012-02-07T09:14:00.000-05:00

Here we go again.

Out-of-work Americans narrowly averted losing their unemployment insurance when Congress passed a two-month extension at the end of 2011.

But that extension is set to expire at the end of this month, and House Republican leaders are expected to push for drastic cuts in benefits and create new barriers for millions of unemployed workers’ and their families. This includes thousands of AFSCME and CSEA members across the country who feel the painful realities of state and local service cuts.

Send a message to Congress telling them to renew unemployment through December without any changes to the program.

Congressional leaders are trying to significantly change unemployment insurance through a bill, H.R. 3630, which would:

•Cut the length of benefits in half in the highest unemployment states;

•Impose drug testing of recipients;

•Make jobless workers pay for reemployment services;

•Deny benefits to workers who did not receive a high school diploma or GED;

•Allows states to use unemployment funds for other purposes.

These disasterous reforms would affect millions of jobless workers and their families. We must stand together and protect our AFSCME and CSEA sisters and brothers from losing their insurance.

Tell Congress that extending unemployment insurance is necessary for millions of out-of-work Americans and their families’ survival.

Congress should create jobs to put unemployed Americans back to work, not punish them by cutting off their support lifeline.

CSEA Making Our Case for No Tier 6: An Interview With Fran Turner

2012-02-05T19:21:00.000-05:00

GOV. CUOMO IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF NEW YORK'S WORKING FAMILIES

2012-02-05T15:30:00.001-05:00

STERLING COMFORT SAYS NO TO TIER 6!

2012-02-05T01:54:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK STATE PENSION ALERT!

2012-02-04T18:09:00.000-05:00

THE GLOVES ARE OFF; IF IT'S A FIGHT CUOMO WANTS, IT'S A FIGHT HE'S GOING TO GET

2012-02-04T14:55:00.018-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- Governor Cuomo's Tier 6 proposal is no more than political calisthenics-- he is willing to take the risk of conquering and dividing New Yorkers by proposing a budget that will jeopardize the stability of working family life in the Empire State.

By advocating for a Tier 6 proposal, which essentially turns a defined benefit system into a sort of defined contribution plan, Cuomo is embracing appeals to his very wealthy benefactors like the the Koch brothers and his big Wall Street donors. Some big names include real estate moguls Joseph Moinian, Jerry Speyer, Daniel Tishman and Andrew Farkas. Moreover, this plan weakens the ability of middle class consumers to spend and grow our economy.

In effect, he is turning on people who work for a living, labor constituents and the middle class in order to appeal to a more conservative, wealthy national base of contributors. This will assist him if and when he determines the climate is right for a national campaign for President.

A "pro-business" group has also been doing Cuomo's dirty work. The multi-million dollar Committee to Save New York (CSNY) was created to sway public opinion to support legislation that could help the private sector, mostly by targeting taxes and dismantling public services. This legislative session, the organization's cross hairs are set on our pensions that they claim are crippling state and local governments, and by extension, taxpayers. This is a big fat lie and nothing could further from the truth.

Don't be fooled by Cuomo's talking points

Do not be fooled by his or his surrogate's rhetoric when they come to your town-- there are no taxpayer savings here and the NYS Comptroller says that implementing such a plan would cost local governments millions of dollars to manage. You can read Tom DiNapoli's report here.

The fact is that Tier 5 has only been in existence since 2010. Working families made huge concessions then, with the thinking that we must do our part to balance the State Budget in extraordinary times. This tier has been projected to save the state and local government many billions of dollars over the next few decades-- however, it will not realize savings in the short term. Therefore, there is no demonstrated need for yet another pension tier. Period.

The fact is that the New York State Retirement System has been a proven and stable system for more than nine decades. It has survived several world wars, the Great Depression and numerous recessions over that period. Governor Cuomo is banking on the fact that we have short term memories. For the better part of the 1990's, the system required very low if no contribution from the state and local governments, thereby saving those municipalities hundreds of millions of dollars in funds. The determination of whether the pension system is working can only be analyzed over a period of several years-- never in the short term.

This is a fully funded system which provides modest benefits to members. The average pensioner receives about $17,500 per year-- hardly an excessive amount by any means. Can you live on that? When our economy fully recovers from this recession and contributions by local governments will again fall to insignificant levels, this is a fact the governor and his staff would never share with you.

This fundamental question remains-- are we to have a stable and predictable retirement benefit or are our retirees going to be subjected to the swings in market values to the detriment of their retirement income?

In the event of a severe market decline, like what happened after George W. Bush left the economy is such disrepair in 2008, retirees would then be the victim of substantial reductions in their income and would probably have to work until the day they die. As it is, the middle class bailed out those banks and fools on Wall Street in the biggest shift in wealth transference in American history. What would make you think we would want to give our retirement money to a bunch of greedy fools in the form of a 401(k) so they can gamble it away on Wall Street?

Let's get to the crux of the issue. This an attempt to return our country to a circa 1932 state, where the elderly were always under threat of extreme poverty, and almost solely dependent on relatives for survival. Our Governor's attempt to destroy public pension systems by destabilizing them, or reducing social security benefits or making those benefits contingent on market performance have the potential to take middle class retirees into a world where financial stability is not a given, but a crap shoot.

Who will benefit from a Tier 6?

Moreover, who will benefit from this so-called reform? It won't be middle-class taxpayers-- it will be those New Yorkers who are already insulated from any financial harm and those business elites who are already lining up behind a Cuomo 2016 campaign.

Any right-minded New Yorker should see this effort for what it truly is-- a thinly-disguised political chess game to attack the working class and perpetuate our race to the bottom. Cuomo is an opportunist-- he knows the climate is just right to push for these measures when you consider what is going on in Ohio, Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Well, we New York working families have news for Governor Cuomo-- we will fight a Tier 6 proposal to our very last breath. We will fight this Tier 6 proposal like we have never battled a issue in the past. When this budget year is all over, he will wish he never went there. We will never surrender on this one. If Cuomo wants a fight-- we will give him everything he can handle.

To understand some simple facts about the Tier 6 Proposal, read on:

GOVERNOR CUOMO: YOUR TIER 6 BUDGET PROPOSAL IS IRRESPONSIBLE

2012-02-03T20:42:00.001-05:00

CSEA: IT'S TIME WE TALK HONESTLY ABOUT THE 2012-13 NYS BUDGET PROPOSAL

2012-02-03T17:50:00.002-05:00

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT GOP HAIR?

2012-02-02T21:10:00.000-05:00

ACTION ALERT: TIER 6 TRAINING AT ROCHESTER SATELLITE OFFICE ON FEB. 4

2012-01-31T09:18:00.006-05:00

Are you worried about your NYS pension? Governor Andrew Cuomo is giving you good reason to be.

Rochester, N.Y.-- Gov. Cuomo's 2012 budget calls for the addition of Tier 6 to the retirement system. In addition to forcing new employees to work longer for a smaller benefit, the new tier offers a dangerous 401(k) option. How is it dangerous? New employees will have little choice BUT the 401(k) option, as the Tier 6 option is such a degraded benefit. As more employees choose to put their money into 401(k)s, less money will go into the pension system, until the fund becomes insolvent and can no longer pay out pensions.

We have the opportunity to STOP this from happening, but we need your HELP! Please join for a short training on the facts about Tier 6 and how we can fight to protect our pensions!

WHAT: REGION 6 TRAINING ON TIER 6 PROPOSAL

WHERE: ROCHESTER SATELLITE OFFICE, 3495 WINTON PLACE, Building E, Suite 3

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14618

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Fran Turner, Director of Legislative and Political Action for CSEA will be in Rochester to conduct the training. Click here and listen to Fran Turner being interviewed by The Buffalo News. It is important that you attend. There will be other trainings in the Buffalo area and in other areas of Region 6 that are yet to be scheduled. See below for details:

WNY Region 6: How Do You Measure a Year?

2012-01-29T19:30:00.000-05:00

MAKING OUR CASE FOR NEW YORK STATE LIBRARIES

2012-01-26T09:49:00.000-05:00

Michael Borges
NYLA Executive Director

Testimony of NYLA Executive Director, Michael Borges

Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Education

January 23, 2012

Good morning and thank you for letting me speak to you today about state funding for libraries and library systems.

I first want to thank Governor Cuomo for not reducing our funding in the Executive Budget. I especially want to thank Senator Hugh Farley for persuading the Senate to establish the Select Committee on Libraries with an outstanding 19 members volunteering to serve on it. And I also want to especially thank Assemblymember Bob Reilly for having the courage to hold a hearing by the Assembly Library Committee back in November on library funding and particularly what the Assembly could do for the library community. And finally I want to thank all those members of the Legislature who voted for our seven legislative priorities last year of which three were signed into law.

However, despite all these recent positive steps, the fact is library funding is still down 23% from 2007 – at a time when library use is up 11%. Library Aid is currently at $79 million, which is less than when I started this job eight years ago. If you look at the chart that accompanies my testimony, you will see that we are back at 1994 levels of funding. No other educational institutions are funded at 1994 levels, not schools, not colleges, not BOCES, so why are libraries?

Libraries are educational institutions, chartered by the Board of Regents, administered by the state Education Department, receive state funding and local support and serve the educational needs of their communities just like schools do – and even beyond what schools do -- and yet time after time, we are the last to receive funding increases and the first to receive cuts, and disproportionate cuts at that. What the library community wants is parity, equity, fairness, call it what you will, we want to be treated the same as schools, the state courts have already recognized libraries as educational institutions, the time has come for the Legislature and Governor to follow suit.

The library community has always been reasonable and flexible with our requests, we have never asked for more than the state can realistically provide. Our needs are small, so small that the amount of Library Aid in the budget is less than one tenth of one percent of the entire state budget. Libraries are in our communities, in our schools and on our college campuses. Libraries are with us at every point in our pursuit of life-long learning. If you combine the 10 million public library cardholders, with the 3 million k-12 students served by school libraries, and the 1.4 million college students served by college libraries, libraries serve approximately 75% of the state’s population. No other state supported service serves so many people for so few dollars.

The New York Library Association commissioned a poll with the Siena Research Institute two weeks ago and their survey of registered voters showed that 71% supported giving libraries the same state aid increases as schools. I mean in percentages and not in real dollars, which means a very modest $3 million more in 2012-13, which would bring Library Aid back up to $82 million, which is still less than the amount libraries were getting in 2004 when George Pataki was Governor.

Photo: Bess Watts

Also according to the Siena poll, 24% of respondents had someone in their household use the resources at the library to apply for a job, search for a new career or improve their employment skills in the past twelve months. In a Siena poll conducted over the summer, they found 57% of New York household have experienced at least some type of job loss or dislocation (reduced hours, etc) and based on the new data at least 42% of those households facing job search needs have in the last year used a library as part of their search. Bottom line, a large percentage of unemployed or underemployed are using libraries to look for jobs.

Libraries have been providing this “safety net” for the unemployed with no help from the state. In fact, as I stated at the beginning, the state has actually cut library aid 23% since the economic crisis began. Well, we can’t continue much longer to provide these needed services – not if all we have are 1994 dollars. We need your help now.

In addition to helping the unemployed during these difficult economic times, average families are using libraries in greater numbers. The amount of items borrowed by your constituents has risen from 136 million in 2004 to 165 million in 2010 an 18% increase. Visitation to libraries increased from 107 million in 2004 to 117 million in 2010 a 9% increase. And those numbers are telling in that circulation of materials increased at twice the rate of visits to libraries, which means more library users are taking advantage of downloadable materials (like ebooks) from library websites.

When your constituents get to vote on local library funding, they do so in overwhelming numbers, with 97% of library budgets being approved over the last three years, which is an outstanding approval rate given the tough economic times we have been through.

The library community knows times are time tough and the economy is in flux and state finances are fragile. But that is why you should be supporting libraries, because during tough economic times libraries are used even more. The numbers don’t lie, whether, its polling data, circulation numbers, or budget passage rates. New Yorkers, your constituents use and support libraries, and you should as well, especially since it takes very little effort and resources to satisfy our needs.

I have also included in my written testimony a list of legislative action items from my presentation to the Assembly Library Committee in November.

1. Going forward recognize libraries as educational institutions and tie percentage increases in Library Aid with School Aid.

2. Exempt public libraries from the MTA payroll tax like public and private schools are now.

3. Allow libraries to access other sources of state funding like Adult Literacy Education (ALE), Employment Preparation Education (EPE), Universal Pre-K and Workforce Development funds that can support the services and programs that libraries are providing in their communities.

4. Support the passage of legislation that allows libraries to partner with other governmental entities like BOCES to provide internet access, or that provide flexibility in procurement practices and in the allocation of library aid.

5. Broadband access and high-speed internet connections are essential not only to our libraries and other community anchor institutions, but to the viability of our economy. Since libraries are a key provider of community internet access, a stable funding stream through a state Universal Service Fund should be created that supports broadband deployment, high speed access to libraries and schools, and digital literacy efforts to bridge the digital divide and expand the number of digitally literate New Yorkers.

6. According to the state Library there is approximately $2.5 billion in library construction and renovation needs throughout the state and yet the state provides only $14 million annually for public library construction funds. A modest increase to $20 million would be welcome.

GOV'S 2012-13 PROPOSED BUDGET KEEPS LIBRARY FUNDING FLAT; LOBBY DAY MARCH 6

2012-01-23T10:42:00.003-05:00

Albany, N.Y-- Over the last three years, Library Aid has been cut by 23 percent, going from $102 million in 2008 to $79 million in 2011, which is below 1994 levels of funding. No other educational institutions are being asked to operate and provide services at 1994 levels, not schools or colleges, and neither should libraries. What's up with that?

The Voice Reporter is asking you to please contact your state legislators by going to The New York Library Association homepage and click on the Contact Your Elected Officials button on the lower left of the screen to send a fax or email to your state representatives.

The Governor has released his proposed 2012-13 Executive Budget and has kept Library Aid funding flat at last year's final level of $79 million (including the $3 million restored by the Legislature) and has also included $14 million in Public Library Construction funds.

CSEA and AFSCME both represent tens of thousands of library workers throughout New York State. AFSCME is the international parent union of CSEA, New York's largest public employee union.

In addition, School Aid (as promised by the Governor earlier) has been allocated a 4% increase or $805 million in additional funding to $20.3 billion (30% of state general fund). The caveat is that the increased aid is tied to school districts adopting the new teacher evaluation process.

CUNY and SUNY also receive same amount of general fund support as last year with the authority to spend the additional tuition increases ($113.2 million for SUNY and $66.6 million for CUNY).

Community colleges were also held at last year's levels of $2,122 per student reimbursement. Adult Literacy Education (ALE) funding was also flat with last year at $4.2 million.

It is not all bad news, considering our recent history with budget funding. This year we can begin our advocacy efforts with the Legislature on obtaining an increase in Library Aid (similar to schools) and not having to fight to get funds restored from last year.

A quick reminder to all AFSCME/CSEA library workers: NYLA’s SnapshotNY is scheduled for week of February 12-25th so please visit ProtectNYLibraries.org to upload your photos, testimonials and factual data that will help our advocacy efforts.

And Tuesday, March 6th is AFSCME/CSEA and NYLA Advocacy Day. NYLA and library supporters will convene in Meeting Room Six in the Empire State Plaza. AFSCME/CSEA folks will register outside Meeting Room Six and enter the Convention Center for a rally, lunch and legislative prep sessions. Legislative visits will take place directly after lunch.

CSEA WNY Region 6 members can call 1.716.691.6555 to reserve your seat on the bus. Libraries Matter: See the Light.

PENSIONS STRENGTHEN MIDDLE CLASS AND STATE ECONOMY

2012-01-23T09:43:00.001-05:00

Mario Cilento

Original post appeared in the Buffalo News
By Mario Cilento, President
New York State AFL-CIO

January 22, 2012-- It’s hard to pick up a paper or turn on the TV or computer and not see something about pensions. The media, elected officials and so-called think tanks are rightly focusing on the role of pensions in our society; unfortunately, they are missing the point.

It’s easy to be distracted by short-term rhetoric that plays on fear and ignorance, but the fact remains that the defined benefit pension, along with Social Security and Medicare, remain an essential ingredient to the retirement security of middle-class families.

We don’t hear that the average benefit for a member in the largest plan in New York, the state and local employees’ retirement system, is $19,000 per year, or that 76 percent of pensions are less than $30,000 per year.

For years, these workers have been part of the engine that fuels our economy. But now, they are blamed for collecting the pensions they’ve earned through deferred wages.

There is no doubt that state and local governments face difficult budgetary decisions, but some corporations and their messengers have tried to capitalize on the economic crisis to justify their own rollback of pensions in favor of 401(k)s in the private sector. This is audacious considering that corporate greed and misconduct caused the collapse of the economy, the budget crisis and billions in pension losses.

The public should not be fooled by the pension feeding frenzy. First, just two years ago, the state enacted a new pension benefit — Tier 5 — that the State Division of Budget estimated would save taxpayers $35 billion over 30 years. Second, slashing pension benefits yet again will yield little to no savings in the short term, but will permanently impact the livelihood of those who dedicate a career to providing essential services to the public.

We are all in this together. Pensions benefit the economy as a whole. Retirees spend their money in their communities supporting local businesses and supporting jobs. We need to think about pensions as an economic stabilizer for middle-class families and their local economies.

Unfortunately, a financially secure retirement is slipping away from American workers. More than half are at risk of not being able to maintain their standard of living in retirement, according to the National Retirement Risk Index. Not coincidentally, this retirement insecurity comes at a time when the number of people with defined benefit pensions is declining.

If we want to ensure that all workers can retire with dignity while at the same time supporting our economy, we must bolster wage replacement in retirement for all, not diminish retirement security for those who have some semblance of it through their pensions.

Finally, we must remember that what our state really needs is jobs, jobs, jobs. This is the shared agenda of all New Yorkers. Adding yet another pension tier will not produce one job and is simply a distraction.

ONE NATION UNDER EMPLOYED

2012-01-22T19:23:00.002-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- The US Labor Department estimated recently that 13 million people were unemployed. Another 8 million people were working part-time but wanted full-time work. Even more millions who are not working are not counted in those numbers because they have been unemployed so long.

A study by Northeastern University found that in the poorest families, unemployment is nearly 31 percent. Underemployment is also much more of a problem in poor homes, with over 20 percent of those workers reporting they are working part-time but seeking full-time work.

Our nation can do so much more. We say our country values work. It is time to do something about it.

If the US truly values work, we need to support the millions of our sisters and brothers who are low wage workers. Steps needed include: raising the minimum wage to a living wage; protecting workers from getting ripped off; making it easier for workers to organize together if they choose to; and creating jobs, public jobs if necessary, so that everyone who wants to work can do so. Many are already working on these justice issues.

Let's make America a land where we can still have hope and dream big.

FINALLY, AN HONEST VOICE ENTERS THE GOP RACE: AFSCME

2012-01-22T14:42:00.003-05:00

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has entered the Republican presidential race, and the public-employee union could be a serious contender.

John Nichols
TheNation.com

Post by John Nichols in The Nation, January 21, 2012 - 12:45pm ET

AFSCME, which has been a key player in the struggle to defend state and local workers against the anti-union juggernaut launched by newly elected Republican governors and legislators, has long been at odds with Newt Gingrich. When the former House Speaker decided that the fundamental challenge facing the American economic system was the persistence of child-labor laws, AFSCME pushed back with a muscular campaign that asked: “Really, Newt?”

Challenging the speaker’s proposal that school janitors be replaced with “poor children,” AFSCME launched a national campaign that got thousands of Americans to sign a statement that said:

The US outlawed child labor because it denied children the chance at a real education and allowed employers to exploit children—and because children were often injured or killed on the job. That’s why labor unions fought to pass laws outlawing child labor and protecting all workers.

And the people you want to fire and replace with kids? A lot of them are parents. That job puts a roof over kids’ heads, food on the table, and provides them with health care and the chance to get an education. That job is the only thing between a kid and poverty. Firing someone’s mom and hiring the kid for less money isn’t exactly the “process of rising.” It is, in fact, the process of falling. It is the process of exploiting and destroying working families.

The fact that you don’t get that makes you not only out of touch, but utterly unqualified to serve in any elected position, let alone President of the United States. Newt, “You’re Fired!”

But it turned out that Gingrich’s anti-labor zealotry did not make him an outlier in the Republican race. If anything, the man with whom the former Speaker is now locked in an intense struggle for the party’s presidential nomination, Mitt Romney, is just as bad. In fact, it was Romney, not Gingrich, who was the first candidate to air advertisements supporting union-bashing “right-to-work (for less)” laws and promising to go after “union stooges” on the National Labor Relations Board.

So, now, AFSCME has waded into the fight, with the purchase of almost $1 million in advertising time on Florida television stations. The advertising will air in the week running up to the January 31 Republican primary—where Romney and Gingrich are in the fight of their lives.

The advertising, which will make AFSCME a major player in the final week before what could be a definitional Republican primary, targets Romney. And appropriately so. While AFSCME’s got a gripe with Gingrich, the union has just as much reason to be angry with Romney. And the AFSCME ad explains why: Romney’s been engaged with corporations that have gotten in big trouble for Medicare fraud, an issue that is of particular importance to a union whose members provide frontline medical care and assistance to the elderly and the poor.

Citing a devastating Boston Globe exposé of Romney’s creepiest business activities, the ad (which features imagery so stark that it raises the question of whether Romney is one of the undead) asks: “What kind of a businessman is Mitt Romney? While Romney was a director of the Damon Corporation, the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.”

The AFSCME ad also links Romney with Florida Governor Rick Scott, an antilabor Republican who stands accused of engaging in similar business practices, and whose approval rating of 38 percent rivals those of fellow GOP zealots Scott Walker in Wisconsin and John Kasich in Ohio. Among Floridians who think the state’s economy has gotten worse over the past year, Scott is blamed for the circumstance by an almost two-to-one margin over Democratic President Barack Obama.

It is no secret that AFSCME favors Obama, the unions endorsed candidate in 2008 and again in 2012.

Nor is it any secret that AFSCME is looking to weaken Romney, who until the last week or so appeared to be the “inevitable” GOP nominee.

But the union has taken the lead in calling out both Gingrich and Romney. And union leaders tell me they are likely to continue to “play” in what is starting to look like a long Republican primary process.

Polling confirms that the overwhelming majority of Americans oppose Republican attacks on unions—especially the attacks on the collective bargaining rights of public employees. But it is not just Democrats and independents driving those numbers, According to a USA Today/Gallup Poll, which produced similar results to other recent surveys on the issue, 41 percent of Republicans opposed attacks on collective bargaining rights.

Forty-one percent!

That’s more support than any Republican got in Iowa, or in New Hampshire.

So AFSCME has a constituency within the GOP: two of every five Republicans are on the side of the union on its most fundamental issue.

This raises a question. Since AFSCME has a clear constituency for its views within the Grand Old Party, since the union is making big ad buys in GOP primary states, and since it is doing so openly (not with front groups like the Koch brothers–funded Americans for Prosperity) and transparently (not using the Super PAC deceptions employed by Romney, Gingrich and the other contenders), maybe this is the alternative that Republicans—who polling suggests are deeply dissatisfied with their options—need at this point.

Maybe its time to pass over Newt, Mitt, Ron, Rick and whatever hangers-on may remain and find the open space at the bottom of the ballot. Maybe it’s time to write in AFSCME.

Yes, yes, we are all aware that election laws are inflexible; just ask Gingrich about the trouble he’s having getting write-in votes counted in Virginia.

And yes, yes, even if the election laws were more flexible, there might still be some grumbling about the little detail that AFSCME is not, officially, a person. Rather, it is a union of 1.4 million persons.

But this technicality ought not be overblown. Romney says that "corporations are people.” If we take him at his word, then surely unions are people too.

So there can’t be much objection to counting votes for the union that maintains a position on union issues that attracts more support from Republicans than Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich is getting: AFSCME.

GOP HOPEFULS: WE AREN'T MISSING YOU AT ALL

2012-01-21T10:29:00.001-05:00

South Carolina-- As the extreme GOP presidential candidates peel off one by one, the nominating process is narrowing the field. Today, the day of the S.C. primary vote, one thing is for sure. Two or three candidates could still go all the way. And, for the others who tried? We aren't missing them at all.

FROM THE CSEA ACTION CENTER: THIS WEEK IN ALBANY

2012-01-21T08:22:00.000-05:00

Governor Proposes Executive Budget

Governor Cuomo presented his proposed Executive Budget this week. While the Governor claims that this budget will create jobs, the truth is that this budget attempts to privatize government services and attacks our defined pension system. This budget will lead to the loss of thousands of good paying middle-class jobs and will harm the pension system for current and future workers.

Over the coming weeks and months, you will be needed to fight back against these proposals in order to protect our jobs and pensions.

We have outlined portions of the budget below. However, a more thorough, detailed summary available on the CSEA website.

Tier 6

Governor Cuomo proposes to slash pension benefits for future retirees through the creation of a new Tier 6 pension plan. The new tier would apply to employees hired after April 1, 2012. It would raise the retirement age from 62 to 65, increase employee contributions based on a person’s salary, increase vesting time from 10 to 12 years, exclude all overtime from a person’s final average salary, and base a pension on the final average salary for five years, rather than the current three. Further, it would also allow employees to enroll into a 401(k) retirement plan rather than a defined benefit pension. Cuomo’s plan for a 401(k) pension will weaken our pension fund and put your pension at risk.

For more information regarding this specific proposal, including flyers and talking points, please visit the CSEA website.

State Agency Mergers

The budget proposes to following mergers of state entities:

-The Division of the Lottery and the Racing and Wagering Board

-The Department of Civil Service and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations

-Transfer the management of Belleayre Ski Center from the Department of Environmental Conservation to the Olympic Regional Development Authority.

It is unclear if further mergers may be in the works through the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission (SAGE). We will be monitoring this commission for further developments.

State Takeover of Medicaid Administration

The budget proposes that the Department of Health take over all Medicaid administrative responsibilities from local Social Service Districts by April 1, 2018. This could include making county employees become state employees. Further, the proposal would allow the Commissioner to privatize nearly all of the work currently performed by county social service employees

DiNapoli Warns Against ‘Dismantling Pensions’

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli fought back against the inclusion of a 401(k) pension proposal in Governor Cuomo’s budget during a speech to the National Public Pension Coalition in Washington D.C.

DiNapoli said, “The solution to dismantle current defined benefit plans long term is not a solution, in fact it could create more challenges and costs down the road,” He continued by saying, “401k’s were never intended to take the place of pensions. They were designed to be savings vehicles to supplement pensions and social security income. And overall, in their relatively short history, they have proven to be woefully inadequate for those who rely on them for their primary retirement income.”

Pensions help our local economies as well. The Comptroller stated that the pensions paid to New York retirees result in an estimated $6.5 billion in spending, $9.5 billion in economic activity, and $1.3 billion in property taxes paid. Further, the idea that taxpayers foot the bill for these pensions is wrong. The Comptroller states that 83 cents of every dollar in benefits paid to New York retirees come from investment returns, not employee employer contributions.

During this time of increasing attacks on defined benefit pensions, it is important to have a leader like Comptroller DiNapoli fight to protect our pensions.

The Week to Come

Wednesday, January 25th – CSEA will testify in front of the state legislature regarding Workforce Issues in the state budget.

MR. ONE PERCENT: WILLARD "MITT" ROMNEY

2012-01-20T02:08:00.000-05:00

AFSCME/CSEA LOBBY DAY MARCH 6; PEOPLE GET READY

2012-01-18T15:57:00.000-05:00

CSEA RESPONDS TO NYS BUDGET PROPOSAL; PENSION REFORM EFFORT MISGUIDED

2012-01-17T18:13:00.002-05:00

CSEA President Danny Donohue
photo: provided by CSEA

CSEA president Danny Donohue responds to the proposed 2012-13 NYS Budget:

“Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget lays out some complex challenges in many areas. CSEA remains concerned that the governor seems out of touch with the day-to-day challenges that public workers in both state and local government face as a result of his budget priorities. Too many necessary services in every part of the state are deteriorating because people are working short staffed and at risk without adequate equipment, training and backup.

“CSEA has no hesitation in saying that the proposal for a new public employee pension tier is an assault on the middle class and a cheap shot at public employees. It will provide no short-term savings and will mean people will have to work longer, pay more and gain less benefit. Simply put, the Tier VI provisions would be onerous on working people and undermine middle class security and the governor ought to be more concerned about that.

“The governor’s proposal of a 401K style option as part of Tier VI would certainly be attractive to highly paid political appointees who could max out their contribution, have it matched by the public employer and take it with them as they come and go. It’s a lot different for front-line career employees who have to worry about whether being at the mercy of Wall Street ups and downs will provide them with adequate retirement security 30 years from now.”

IN MEMORIAM: CSEA LOCAL 828 MEMBER JOE CANNAROZZO

2012-01-16T16:53:00.009-05:00

Joe Cannarozzo
photo: Lynn Miller

Webster, N.Y.-- It is with great sadness that I share the news of the loss of one of our beloved CSEA members, Joe Cannarozzo.

Joe recently retired and worked and lived in the Town of Webster and served on the CSEA Region 6 Planning committee for years. He died on January 14, 2012 at age 58.

He was an active and long time member of CSEA Monroe County Local 828, Town of Webster Highway Department Unit 7411. Joe never missed the opportunity to participate in the annual Rochester Labor Day Parade.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends. Joe will remain forever in our hearts. --Bess Watts, president CSEA Monroe County Local 828.

Joe was predeceased by his father, Joseph Frederick Cannarozzo. Survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Nancy (Secora) Cannarozzo; his children, Brett (Kara) Cannarozzo, Laura (Beau) Rabetoy, Katelyn Cannarozzo; his mother, Lucy Cannarozzo; sisters, Linda Cannarozzo, Mary (Dennis) Cudzilo, Donna (John) Horvath; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Steve (Linda) Secora; also many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The arrangements are as follows: Calling hours are Tuesday, January 17 at 2-4 and 7-9 at the Falvo Funeral Home, 1295 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd., Route 250.

On Wednesday, January 18, please meet the family at 9 AM in St. Paul's Church, 783 Hard Road, for the celebration of his Funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pluta Cancer Center, 125 Red Creek Dr., Rochester, NY 14623. Interment, Webster Rural Cemetery.

LIBRARIES MATTER: SEE THE LIGHT

2012-01-15T20:08:00.000-05:00

MLK CELEBRATION AT U OF R MEDICAL CENTER

2012-01-15T20:04:00.000-05:00

MLK shakes president Johnson's
hand after hhe signed the Civil
Rights Act in 1964.

(Rochester, NY) - For the 31st consecutive year, University of Rochester Medical Center staff will mark the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a celebration of poetry, song, dance, and spoken word on Monday, January 16.

This year’s keynote speaker is Gregory Galluzzo, founder of the Gamaliel Foundation, which under his leadership grew to a nationwide network of community organizing projects. Galluzzo, a former Jesuit priest, became a trainer of organizers. He hired and trained Barack Obama in Gamaliel’s Chicago program, and is often called the President’s “organizing mentor.”

Rather than retire when he stepped down as Gamaliel’s executive director, Galluzzo continues to travel the country training community organizers. He is a regular visitor to Upstate New York where Gamaliel has projects in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Syracuse.

WHAT: 31st ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION

WHEN: 11:30 AM, MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

WHERE: WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER
260 CRITTENDEN BLVD, ROCHESTER, NY

The event is co-sponsored by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the Strong Memorial Hospital Division of the University of Rochester Medical Center. The program is free and open to the public.

For further information, please contact Zola Brown at (585)-244-0830 x318.

NYS SENATE ESTABLISHES SELECT COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES; FARLEY TAPPED AS CHAIR

2012-01-15T13:57:00.004-05:00

Senator Farley Announces Establishment of Senate Library Committee

Albany, N.Y.-- State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C, I - Schenectady) reports that he was named Chairman of a newly-created Senate Select Committee on Libraries. This 19-member bipartisan body was established on January 10th through passage of a Senate resolution.

“This new committee will help the Senate in promoting libraries and addressing their needs,” said Senator Farley. “I am proud to have been a lifelong advocate for libraries, and will continue my efforts to assist them in meeting the needs of the public.

AFSCME and CSEA, New York State's largest public employee unions, represent tens of thousands of school and public library workers from Niagara Falls to Montauk Pt.

“From 1978 to 2008, I was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Libraries,” Senator Farley said, explaining the history of the committee. “When the Senate changed leadership in 2009, the Democratic Majority eliminated this committee. I was extremely disappointed and concerned by this. Libraries have their own special needs, and I had recommended reestablishing a special Senate Committee to focus on and address their issues. I applaud Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for recognizing the importance of libraries and appointing this committee.”

The Select Committee is authorized to conduct meetings, conferences and public hearings, to gather information and to make recommendations on library-related legislative proposals.

Mike Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association, attended the Senate Session and said “The library community is very pleased that the Senate has reactivated a special committee on libraries and looks forward to working with all the members to address the needs of libraries and library systems around the State.”

Senator Farley reports there are some 750 public libraries in New York State, with a total of about 7,000 libraries when academic, school and special libraries are included. There are 17 public libraries and two library systems which serve Senator Farley’s district. Each year, Senator Farley meets with local library officials to hear their concerns and get their input.

“Libraries are very important to our communities and our State,” Senator Farley said. “They provide educational services and opportunities to people of all ages. Whether you are learning to read, doing a school project, advancing your education, learning new skills, seeking a job, pursuing your hobbies and interests, seeking access to the Internet or simply looking for a good book to read, libraries offer a wide variety of resources and services to the public.”

Senator Farley has sponsored virtually every piece of major library legislation since 1978. He was a member of Governor Mario Cuomo's Commission on Libraries and was also an elected delegate to the White House Conferences on Libraries in 1979 and 1991. He has fought to secure State funding for libraries and to establish new forms of library services, including school library systems and hospital library programs.

In 2009, the Mohawk Valley Library System honored Senator Farley for his advocacy and support of libraries. In 2011, Senator Farley received the Ex Libris Award from the organization New Yorkers for Better Libraries in recognition of his leadership on library issues.

CSEA ACTION CENTER: NEWS FROM ALBANY

2012-01-15T13:01:00.001-05:00

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.

AMERICA'S YOUTH: CAN'T FIND THEIR WAY HOME

2012-01-14T21:34:00.000-05:00

MR. 25 PERCENT MAN: WILLARD MITT ROMNEY

2012-01-14T17:32:00.001-05:00

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: OUR HOMELESS YOUTH

2012-01-13T21:35:00.000-05:00

TENSIONS RISE BETWEEN RICH AND POOR; INCOME INEQUALITY ON THE MIND OF VOTERS

2012-01-12T15:53:00.001-05:00

USA-- Tensions between the rich and poor are increasing and at their most intense level in nearly a quarter-century, a new survey shows. Americans now see more social conflict over wealth inequality than over the hot-button topics of immigration, race relations and age.

The survey released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center highlights U.S. perceptions of the economic divide, an issue that has moved to the forefront in the 2012 presidential campaign amid stubbornly high unemployment, increasing poverty and protests by the Occupy movement.

The findings come as voters in New Hampshire's primary last Tuesday night made clear that the economy was the issue that mattered most to them. In the end, they chose Mitt Romney by a large margin, even as Republican rivals already gearing up for more competitive contests in South Carolina and elsewhere had stepped up populist attacks on him as a heartless corporate raider who slashed jobs.

President Barack Obama has been promoting a campaign message of middle-class opportunity, calling for higher taxes on the very rich and successfully pushing a two-month extension of a payroll tax cut.

The Pew survey shows that younger adults, Democrats and African-Americans remained the most likely as in previous years to cite the existence of strong disagreements between rich and poor. But in the last two years, three important swing groups — whites, middle-income Americans and political independents — registered some of the biggest increases in those who now also hold this view.

As a result, majorities of each political party and ideology all agree that serious disputes exist between Americans at the top and bottom of the economic ladder.

Still, while overall U.S. awareness of class conflict has grown significantly in recent years, public attitudes toward wealthy Americans remain largely unchanged.

For instance, about 46 percent of Americans hold a disapproving view that rich people are wealthy because they were fortunate enough to be born into money or have the right connections. But almost as many people — 43 percent — say wealthy people are rich "mainly because of their own hard work, ambition or education."

That suggests some people who see more conflict between the classes may believe that anger toward the rich is misdirected.

A recent Gallup survey also found that fewer than half of Americans said reducing the gap between rich and poor is "extremely" or "very important," compared with more than 8 in 10 who said policies to build economic growth should be a high priority for government.

"These changes in attitudes over a relatively short period of time may reflect the income and wealth inequality message conveyed by Occupy Wall Street protesters across the country in late 2011 that led to a spike in media attention," said Pew survey analyst Richard Morin. "But the changes also may reflect a growing public awareness of underlying shifts in the distribution of wealth in American society."

In recent weeks, a slew of recent census data have illustrated a widening divide, including the share of overall U.S. wealth held by the top 10 percent of the population that increased from 49 percent in 2005 to 56 percent in 2009. A separate census measure also found that a record number of Americans — nearly 1 in 2 — have fallen into poverty or make earnings that typically classify them as low income.

"As the presidential campaign begins in earnest, it is reasonable to expect that these issues will be a part of the political dialogue," Morin said.

About 3 in 10 Americans polled said there are "very strong" conflicts between the rich and poor, according to the independent research group. That is double the share who believed so in July 2009 and the largest proportion reporting that view in the 24 years the question has been asked in surveys.

In all, about 66 percent of those polled now say there are "very strong" or "strong" conflicts between the top and bottom income groups.

In contrast, a slightly smaller share of Americans — 62 percent — said there were "very strong" or "strong" conflicts between immigrants and native-born Americans. Even smaller shares of people saw such levels of conflict between blacks and whites (38 percent) and between young and old (34 percent).

That is a change from 2009, when immigration topped the survey list as causing the strongest levels of social conflict. At that time, about 55 percent reported "very strong" or "strong" conflict between immigrants and native-born Americans, compared to 47 percent who saw such conflict between the rich and poor.

-Associated Press Reports 1.12.12

A TIMELY MESSAGE FROM BERNIE SANDERS

2012-01-11T10:50:00.002-05:00

Vt. Senator Bernie Sanders (I)
photo: Jamaicaplainforum.com

Washington, D.C.-- I know that many of you are deeply concerned about the economy, health care, education, global warming and the environment, Social Security and Medicare, civil liberties, war and peace and the national debt. But here's an issue that's even more important because it encompasses all of these issues -- and much more.

Will the United States survive, in any significant way, as a democracy in which ordinary people can control their future? Or, will "democracy" simply become another commodity owned and controlled by billionaires and corporations in order to serve their own purposes?

Today, as a result of the absurd Citizens United Supreme Court decision, corporations and billionaires can spend unlimited sums of money, without disclosure, in political campaigns. And that is exactly what they're doing.

Karl Rove's American Crossroads has already pledged to spend at least $240 million in the elections of 2012. The extreme right-wing billionaire Koch brothers may be spending even more. And then there is Wall Street, the oil and coal corporations, the insurance and drug companies and the military-industrial-complex with all of their money.

The goal of the top 1 percent is simple. They will spend as much as it takes to elect candidates who support a right-wing corporate agenda. They will spend as much as it takes to defeat those candidates who are fighting for working families. And that's about it!

Please join me, Daily Kos and Democracy for America in pledging to fight to overturn Citizens United.

Our strategy must be equally simple. Short-term, we must do everything we can to support those progressive candidates in 2012 who are fighting for the middle class and the values we believe in. Long-term, we must overturn Citizens United and fight for real campaign finance reform which limits the power of big money.

Last month, I introduced a constitutional amendment, the Saving American Democracy bill, to overturn Citizens United. This amendment states that:

•Corporations do not have the same constitutional rights as human beings.

•The people have the right to regulate corporations.

•Corporations are prohibited from making campaign contributions.

•Congress and states shall have the power to set reasonable limits on election spending.

As we approach the second anniversary of the Citizens United decision, please join me, Daily Kos and Democracy for America in pledging to fight to overturn Citizens United and to counter the unlimited resources of the right-wing in 2012.

Your pledge of support today will show the Big Money interests that while they may have unlimited sums of money, we have something more important -- the power of the people. Your support could mean volunteering on local, state or national elections, organizing against Citizens United, donating to progressive candidates or running for office yourself.

Please pledge your support today. Please stand with us so that, together, we can transform American politics.

Sincerely,

-Bernie

Sen. Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator from Vermont

MEMBERS ONLY TEST PREP WORKSHOP AT REGION 6 AMHERST, N.Y. OFFICE

2012-01-11T10:47:00.001-05:00

There will be a members-only test prep workshop at:

CSEA Region 6 Office
120 Pineview Drive
Amherst, NY

on 1/14/12 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

It will cover the topics found on the Administrative Aide/APA exam being given in February as well as general test-taking tips and strategies.

Understanding and Interpreting Written Material

Preparing Written Material

Evaluating Conclusions in Light of Known Facts

Understanding and Interpreting Tabular Material

The fee is $15.75. You will need to bring a calculator. Food will not be served, but you can bring your own. Please pay by 1/6/12. THIS WORKSHOP WILL NOT BE HELD UNLESS WE GET AT LEAST 15 PREREGISTRATIONS.

You may pay with a credit card or by check/money order.

If you would rather register by phone, call us at 866-478-5548, but if you do this, you may not use a credit card.

THE TRUTH ABOUT NYS PENSIONS

2012-01-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

NYS PENSION FIGHT LOOMS: ANOTHER TIER? NO FREAKIN WAY

2012-01-10T09:01:00.004-05:00

Albany, N.Y.-- Recently hired New York State public employees who will eventually pay into the NYS Retirement System should be steaming mad. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has once again put pension reform at the forefront of New York state politics. In his State of the State address last Wednesday, Cuomo insisted that the current benefits system is not sustainable, and he'll seek to establish a new tier this year.

Cuomo originally announced his vision for a new pension for state workers, a Tier VI, in June of last year.

The new pension would make a number of adjustments to the system currently in place, Tier V, which was signed into law by former Gov. David Paterson just over two years ago, in December of 2009. At the time, unions agreed to take a number of concessions in our effort to help balence the budget.

Just recently, Civil Service Employee Association President Danny Donohue said a new pension tier with fewer benefits for public employees will hurt the middle class.

Here is a tip for Gov. Cuomo: You can not have a strong New York economy with a weak middle-class. When you remove the spending power of working families, the economic climate is not conducive to grow our economy. Having a strong middle-class is what built America. Products and services mean nothing if there are no consumers to purchase those goods. What Gov. Cuomo is proposing fits nicely into the narrative that income inequality is growing because of executive decision-making by ultra-conservative lawmakers. Income inequality is not only Un-American, it is responsible for deteriorating the quality of life for millions of people.

If Tier VI is passed, the retirement age for new public employees would increase from 62 to 65 years old, with early retirement no longer available. Employees would also have to contribute 6 percent of their salary for their entire career. Vesting requirements would be increased from 10 to 12 years under the new plan.

The method for determining the final average salary of an employee, which affects the benefits he or she receives, would also be adjusted in a number of ways. Excluded in the calculation would be lump sum payouts from unused vacation time and overtime pay. Employees would also be restricted from using unused sick time to their credit at retirement.

The governor's office believes the proposed system would save the taxpayers of New York over $90 billion over the next 30 years, lessening the burden on local governments and reigning in property taxes.

Public Employees Federation President Ken Brynien, in a press release last Wednesday, insisted that reform to state worker's pension is not the solution to the state's economic woes and is only a short-term solution.

"The ability to attract good workers will be important if the governor seeks to pursue his ambitious agenda," Brynien said.

A better approach is to study use of consultants

There are other ways to cut state expenditures that don't hurt employee benefits, PEF leaders believe. The union says that using private contractors for state projects, which Cuomo once again advocated for in last Wednesday's State of the State speech, is often just as expensive as using public employees.

"What we propose is a cost-benefit analysis bill, which would compare prices just like when you buy a car or shop for groceries," said Darcy Wells, a spokeswoman for PEF.

A bill introduced in 2011, S-3093, would define under what conditions a state agency can hire outside consultants, and force it to perform a cost-benefit analysis before spending any more than $500,000. The analysis would then become a public document.

The cost-benefit analysis bill was sponsored by our local Assemblyman Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, and our local Sen. Joe Robach, R-Rochester. By a procedural rule, it was pushed back to committee the same day Governor Cuomo gave his State of the State speech.

PEF says the bill is necessary because New York state's spending on consultant services has increased 25 percent over the last seven years, to $2.8 billion in the fiscal year 2010-2011. They also say the cost of an average private consultant is 70 percent more than a state employee of the same position.

The governor's pension reform vision does have supporters, however. Nortorious anti-labor State GOP Chairman Ed Cox said in a statement last Wednesday that pension reform is one of the most important issues New York is facing today. He went on to challenge the governor to make his rhetoric a reality.

We can not overstate this: The Civil Service Employees Association, New York's largest public employee union, refutes the governor's claim that the new tier will aid the economy, saying the proposal will only serve to hurt the middle class.

THE 2012 GOP: A PARTY AT WAR WITH ITSELF

2012-01-07T22:01:00.000-05:00

WEEKEND UPDATE FROM ALBANY: THE STATE OF THE STATE

2012-01-07T09:23:00.005-05:00

Governor Cuomo Delivers 2012 State of the State Address

Albany, N.Y.-- In his speech on Wednesday, Governor Cuomo outlined his goals for the 2012 Legislative Session.

His agenda includes:

• Closing the remaining $2 billion budget deficit with no new taxes or fees

• Implementing Mandate Relief, including the creation of a Tier 6 retirement plan.

• Creating the New York Works Fund and Task Force that will leverage capital investment to improve or replace bridges, repair work to roadways, upgrade municipal water systems, improve state parks and historic sites, and repair work to flood control projects and dams.

• Appointing a bipartisan education commission to transform Public Education including teacher accountability, student achievement, and management efficiency.

• Investing $1 billion in Buffalo for economic development.

• Instituting a Second Round of Regional Economic Development Awards.

• Supporting a constitutional amendment to allow gaming in New York State.

• Building the largest convention center in the country at the Aqueduct Race Track venue in New York City.

• Allowing SUNY's 60 campuses to compete for three $20 million challenge grants.

• Implementing campaign finance reform.

More specifics on these initiatives will be available when Governor Cuomo releases his 2012-13 Executive Budget on January 17th.

Governor Cuomo Unfairly Attacks Public Employee Pensions

During his State of the State speech, Governor Cuomo announced his intention to push for pension reform. Cuomo’s Tier 6 reforms would mean that employees would have to work longer, pay more and earn a lesser benefit.

It is currently unclear whether Governor Cuomo’s proposed Tier 6 will be included in the budget or in a separate bill. Irregardless, it is vital for CSEA members to become familiar with the real facts regarding the pension system and contact their legislators to give them the facts about our pensions. Tell them to stand up for workers all over the state and tell Governor Cuomo that his Tier 6 proposal is wrong.

Please click here for some talking points for you to fight back with.

KNOW YOUR ENEMIES: FIGHT THE POWER

2012-01-06T00:56:00.000-05:00

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? EZRA KLEIN EXPLAINS

2012-01-05T09:17:00.001-05:00

Ezra Klein
via Wonkbook at
WashingtonPost.com

Washington, D.C.-- The straightforward interpretation of Wednesday's controversial recess appointments is that they were just another salvo in the ongoing war being waged by the Obama administration and congressional Republicans over nominations.

In this view, what's interesting is that Republicans were blocking a record number of appointees and using continuous "pro forma" sessions -- that is to say, keeping Congress technically in session despite the fact that most everyone has gone home -- to deny President Obama the power to make recess appointments. In response, the Obama administration is taking the position that, legally speaking, pro forma sessions are recesses -- the Constitution is very vague on what is and isn't a recess -- and is making recess appointments anyway. If Republicans disagree, they can take him to court. Congress-expert Sarah Binder thinks, for the record, that they'll lose that case.

The less obvious, but perhaps more true, interpretation is that Wednesday's appointments are a salvo in an ongoing war over a controversial tactic that's Thomas Mann has dubbed "a modern-day form of nullification.”

Obama made four recess appointments on Wednesday. One of them lifted Richard Cordray to head of the Consumer Financial protection Bureau. Another added three members to the National Labor Relations Board. But despite having hundreds of nominees outstanding -- including for important positions like the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors and the FDIC -- Obama didn't pull a Teddy Roosevelt and make 160 appointments on the same day. Why? What makes these four nominees different from all other nominees?

The answer is that, without them, the institutions they're intended to lead will fail. Obama's maneuver was about the agencies, not the appointees. In the absence of a director, the CFPB can't exercise its powers. The expiration of Craig Becker's term on the NLRB, meanwhile, means the board is about to fall from three members to two members -- a number that the Supreme Court has ruled is less than a legal quorum, and so a number that means the NLRB cannot make binding rulings.

This is not an accident: Republicans have straightforwardly argued that they would obstruct the confirmation of any and all nominees to the CFPB until the Obama administration agreed to radically reform the agency. They were, in other words, using their power to block nominations to hold kill or change agencies that they didn't have the votes to reform through the normal legislative order. Much the same has been happening at the NLRB. A That's what Mann means when he invokes "nullification": just as the original nullification crisis was about states refusing to implement federal laws that their representatives did not have the votes to overturn, the modern-day incarnation features Republicans refusing to implement laws they don't have the votes to overturn. And this is what Obama is fighting.

As Brian Beutler puts it, Obama's maneuver "does more than fill vacancies. It actually restores the power the agency was given under the law — power Republicans were hoping to strip without passing new legislation. That’s the key thread connecting these recess appointments — and why other languishing nominees haven’t been recess appointed." So though Obama is setting a new precedent with this move, it's not clear that the precedent he intends to set is related to the obstruction of nominees. Rather, it seems related to Republican attempts to use the nomination process to undermine agencies they dislike.

CSEA'S PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO CUOMO'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

2012-01-04T20:21:00.003-05:00

ALBANY, NY (01/04/2012) (readMedia)-- In a prepared statement released hours after the State of the State Address, CSEA President Danny Donohue said, "Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented a challenging vision of New York's future and CSEA fully expects to be actively engaged in discussion and debate with the administration over the details."

He added, "I am frankly surprised that the Governor gave such high priority to a new pension tier with emphasis on immediate impact. A Tier V was only recently enacted and will not provide the state and localities with any significant savings for many years. A Tier VI would be no different and would only mean that working people would have to work longer, pay more and benefit less – hardly in keeping with the Governor's goal of strengthening the middle class.

Finally, it was disappointing that the Governor's appropriate recognition of first responders to the recent series of natural disasters seemed to focus on the uniformed services without real appreciation for the wide range of front line state and local government employees who were essential in New York's addressing the emergency. Many of these workers put duty first to respond while their families faced risk and devastation. So many of these workers are at risk from state and local cutbacks and property tax capping."

MLK GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR WORKING PEOPLE

2012-01-04T19:48:00.003-05:00

MLK shakes hand of President
Johnson after the signing of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
photo: Getty Images

Rochester, N.Y.-- The struggle for union rights is often considered to be of no great significance in comparison to other landmark milestones in 20th century American history. However, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew better. He also knew that the right to unionize was one of the most important components to economic and social justice. Virtually his last act was in support of that right, for he was killed by an assassin's bullet on April 4, 1968, as he was preparing to lead strikers in yet another demonstration.

Those marchers were striking union members, AFSCME sanitation workers demanding that the city of Memphis formally recognize their union and thus grant them a voice in determining their wages, hours and working conditions.

The 5,000-plus demonstrators were described as working-class, church-going people who donned their Sunday best because they believed in the righteousness of the strike and they believed in King.

He had come to Memphis to support them despite threats that he might be killed if he did.

There are, of course, many other reasons for honoring him on January 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but we shouldn't forget that one of the most important reasons, one that's often overlooked, is Dr. King's championing of the cause of the Memphis strikers and others who sought union recognition.

The strikers' eventual victory in Memphis led quickly to union recognition victories by black and white public employees throughout the South and elsewhere. They had passed a major test of union endurance against very heavy odds, prompting a great upsurge of union organizing and militancy among government workers.

Anyone doubting that the labor and civil rights movements share those goals need only heed the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.:

"Our needs are identical with labor's needs: Decent wages, fair working conditions, livable housing, old-age security, health and welfare measures, conditions in which families can grow, have education for their children, and respect in the community. The coalition that can have the greatest impact in the struggle for human dignity here in America is that of the blacks and forces of labor, because their fortunes are so closely intertwined."

2011: WE MEASURED IT IN LOVE

2012-01-03T22:18:00.000-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes. Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand moments so dear. Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes, how do you measure-- measure a year?

HOMELESSNESS: A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION

2012-01-02T18:51:00.000-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- According to the 2010 U.S. Census, in Rochester, N.Y., 23.4% of families and 25.9% of the population were below the poverty line including 37.5% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those ages 65 or over. It’s a freakin crime. Period.

SOCIETY'S SOUL

2011-12-31T23:46:00.002-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." -- Nelson Mandela

According to President Obama, a highly-educated and skilled workforce will be the key not only to individual opportunity, but to the overall success of our economy as well. We cannot be satisfied until every child in America has equal access and the same chances for a good education-- the same opportunity afforded every one's children.

We at the Voice Reporter believe that the two most important indicators of a child's future success in life is the ability to read and having access to educational opportunities.

A child's attitude toward and patterns of reading, learning and even expectation for success in life are set as early as grade four. We can not fail our children. As we embark on the New Year, let all citizens of the world place the value of education and our children's future front and center-- right where it should be.

Video slideshow by Ove Overmyer.

CSEA VOICE REPORTER PRESENTS: 2011: THE YEAR IN IMAGES

2011-12-29T19:48:00.001-05:00

THE WEALTH GAP BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT IS GROWING

2011-12-28T19:03:00.001-05:00

photo: Ove Overmyer

Rochester, N.Y.-- Both The New York Times and The Washington Post have separate reports yesterday about the widening wealth gap between members of Congress and the people they represent. Almost half of all Congresspeople are millionaires and their median net worth has climbed to $913,000, compared to $100,000 for the rest of America households. According to the Post, that number drops to $725,000 when excluding home equity (and adjusting for inflation), but the same median figure for American families is just $20,500. And that gap has only grown wider in recent years.

The biggest reason for the disparity is the sheer cost of running for office, which is both a full-time job and an expensive undertaking. The average successful House race costs $1.4 million to stage (the average Senate campaign is almost $10 million), and candidates are allowed — and often need — to donate as much as they want to their own effort. The costs of advertising and travel make it increasingly difficult for anyone who doesn't already have money to get their name out there. There have also been concerns raised recently about the ability of politicians to profit from their position, both through contacts made and the ability to trade stock based on privileged information.

The net worth of Congress has risen 23.6 percent since 2008. Even putting aside the questions of influence and corruption, the biggest concern is that those who elected to Congress are more out of touch with the world of their constituents than ever before. How can they be expected to look out for the interest of citizens when the biggest issues facing them — unemployment, health care, wages — are unknown to most of those who are supposed to be looking out for them?

Or, even worse, when addressing those issues directly contradicts their own interest, as when millionaires are asked to vote on a "millionaire's tax"? The biggest political movement of the last year, Occupy Wall Street, has been devoted almost exclusively to addressing the gap between rich and poor, but it's hard to see how any change becomes possible when that gap is greatest among those in a position to do something about it.

CUOMO ADMINISTRATION UNILATERAL ACTION HITS RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES HARD

2011-12-28T18:36:00.001-05:00

Albany, N.Y.--A coalition of CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, NYSTPBA, NYSPIA, and AFSCME Council 82, unions representing virtually all of New York State employees have filed lawsuits in federal court challenging the Cuomo Administration's unilateral increase in the percentage of health insurance contributions required of state retirees.The legal challenge applies to changes made by the administration this fall and covers state employees who have retired and seen their share of health insurance premium increase beyond the level at which they retired.

Retirees have long contributed 10 percent of individual coverage and 25 percent of family coverage for their health insurance coverage in retirement based on the percentages included in the state contracts when they retired. The changes imposed by the Cuomo Administration increase the percentage of contribution 2 percent for both individual and family coverage. The changes have severe and unexpected consequences on retired employees. The coalition of unions asserts that it is illegal for the state to increase those rates for already retired members. The unions did not negotiate such increases.

Contrary to popular perception, most public employee retirees have contributed to their health insurance and retirement costs over decades of service and receive only meager to modest benefits. For example, individuals who retired prior to 1983 receive an average pension benefit of $8,760. Those who retired between 1983 and 1990 have a retirement benefit of $13,786 annually.

Out of their fixed income, retirees must pay rising food, fuel, and gas prices along with all other living costs. A retiree on fixed income covered under the Empire Plan would pay about $150 more annually for individual coverage and about $460 more for family coverage. Costs for other health insurance options would vary according to the plan. Making matters worse, the Cuomo Administration has indicated that it will unilaterally impose a 6 percent increase for retirees who retire on or after Jan. 1, 2012, these changes will result in a 60 percent increase in contribution costs for individual coverage and a 24 percent increase for dependent coverage.

All of the employee groups appealed to the Cuomo Administration not to impose this change on retirees before its imposition. The state must now respond to the legal filing in the next month.

photo: Ove Overmyer

"CSEA is disturbed and disappointed that the Cuomo Administration can be so heartless about imposing higher costs on people who have devoted their lives to the service of New Yorkers," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "Nobody bargained for this and these increases will hit retirees hard – it's not right and they don't deserve this treatment."

"What the Cuomo Administration is trying to do is pull the rug out from under state retirees many of whom planned their retirements based on when they felt they could afford to retire. These decisions were based on a promise and expectation of what their health insurance costs would be. Changing the rules after the fact is outright wrong," said PEF President Ken Brynien.

"Our members selflessly work to protect New Yorkers in some of the most dangerous environments in the state. They have earned these benefits, and they are entitled to the coverage that the state agreed to when they retired," said NYSCOPBA President Donn Rowe. "Not only is this change unconstitutional, it's just unfair. The Cuomo Administration should recognize its legal obligations to its retirees and not shift its financial burdens on those least able to absorb the hit."

"The New York State Troopers PBA will continue to fight for the well-being of our retired members. It is imperative that the active members of the PBA protect those members who came before us and proudly wore the gray uniform while sacrificing so much in the name of public safety," said PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer.

Joseph Barrett, president of the New York State Police Investigators Association (NYSPIA), stated: "It is unfortunate that, after risking their lives for the citizens of the State of New York during their careers, that same State of New York now chooses to impose unprecedented health care cost increases on its retired State Police members and the widows and widowers of its deceased members. The State's decision to force this cost increase on our retirees in these years when they live on a fixed income is particularly disturbing."

"The hardworking public safety professionals of New York State are particularly outraged by the Cuomo administration's targeting of retirees," said Council 82 Executive Director James Lyman. "Council 82's retirees are men and women who dedicated their lives to providing a safer New York and deserve to be respected and honored for their service, rather than have the state turn its back and break its promise to its retirees."

Contact Information:

CSEA: Stephen Madarasz – 518 257-1271
PEF: Darcy Wells – 518 785-1900, x274
NYSCOPBA: - Morgan Hook – 301 801-6949
NYSTPBA: Michelle Crisafulli – 518 462-7448
NYSPIA: - 518 436-0120
AFSCME Council 82: Kevin Hanes – 412 330-9930

-30-

INCOME INEQUALITY: AMERICA'S 21ST CENTURY MONSTER

2011-12-28T17:24:00.001-05:00

This video was published December 28, 2011. The article below was originally posted here at the CSEA Voice Reporter on May 6, 2011.

Rochester, N.Y.-- It might have taken a near-historic recession for many Americans to notice our country's rapidly rising levels of income inequality, but the gap between rich and poor has finally gone mainstream, with bloggers, economists and policymakers of all stripes spouting theories on why we should or shouldn't care.

And while the debate continues over cause and consequence, that central claim has proven unshakable: the void between the wealth of America's richest and poorest is widening, and few signs show any indication of it slowing anytime soon.

ThinkProgress reports that income inequality in the United States equals that of Uganda, and is worse than in countries like Pakistan, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast.

Statistics from the CIA Factbook show that income inequality is also higher in the United States today than at any other time since the Great Depression.

Meanwhile, the American Human Development Index recently reported that, partially due to income inequality and the decline of unionization in America, there is now a 30-year gap in life expectancy between the deep South and New England.

"Economists are not sure how to fully explain the growing inequality in America," according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz. In an article published in Vanity Fair, he said, "One big part of the reason we have so much inequality is that the top 1 percent want it that way."

While it's unclear whether Stiglitz is correct about the intentions of the super-wealthy, what's certain is that the rich have emerged from the rubble of the last 30 years as indisputable winners.

Since 1980, middle-class wages have largely stagnated and lower-class wages have declined, while the upper echelons of American society have seen a windfall.

A study by University of California, Berkeley professor Emmanuel Saez found that, as of 2007, the top decile of American earners pulled in 49.7 percent of total wages, a level that's "higher than any other year since 1917."

Not all economists agree income inequality is a bad thing. Perhaps, argues George Mason professor of economics Tyler Cowen, inequality is less an indication of struggling workers at the bottom than the result of a small section of brilliant businessmen at the top. This type of thinking is exactly what eats away at the core of who we are as a nation.

Here are some simple truths:

•Income inequality is extreme and increasing: The top 1 percent of Americans control 23.5 percent of all the country's income, the highest share controlled by the top 1 percent since 1928.

•The U.S. is exceptionally unequal: The U.S. ranks #3 among all the advanced economies in the amount of income inequality.

•The poverty rate is extremely high: The U.S. poverty rate, according to the new National Academy of Science index, is estimated at 15.8 percent. Only one advanced economy, Mexico, has a higher relative poverty rate.

photo: Ove Overmyer

We at the Voice Reporter believe the root cause of income inequality, viewed in the most general terms, is extreme human ingenuity, albeit of a perverse amoral kind. No economy will grow or survive without a strong middle-class. That is why it is so hard for us to wrap our minds around how some, not all, with unspeakable wealth and their complicit puppet lawmakers could care less about the welfare of others in a time of immeasurable suffering. Individual materialism and wealth now heavily outweigh any sense of civic self sacrifice.

How can lawmakers continue to promote legislation to benefit 2 percent of Americans? Just yesterday, House Republicans unanimously voted down a motion from Democrats to consider legislation to end subsidies to oil companies, making sure they will continue to receive our tax payer dollars above and beyond as long as they are in office. To say that "This is just the way things are," or "that's capitalism," is just not acceptable nor is it a reasonable answer. That's not the America we know. The America we know has its sights set on the greater good.

-Commentary by Ove Overmyer.
The opinon expressed here are the authors only and do not reflect the views of CSEA as an organization.

FOX NEWS IS FAUX NEWS

2011-12-27T16:56:00.000-05:00

OBAMA MUST FIX INTERNAL STRIFE AT NLRB

2011-12-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

Washington, D.C.-- The NLRB's internal battles are heating up, reports Tim Mak: "Business and labor are at war over the troubled National Labor Relations Board, a site of many such previous clashes but now the flashpoint for unprecedented contentiousness."

About 200 cases, many of which would expand the power of unions, will be stalled in 2012 when an appointment expires and the five-member board loses a quorum and with it the ability to take action - unless President Barack Obama makes a controversial recess appointment sometime in the coming weeks. However, from the perspective of anti-labor and business groups, recent NLRB decisions have been so harmful to their interests that they probably prefer a non-functional board.

Without a functioning NLRB, workers who are illegally dismissed or disciplined for union activity will not be able to seek a remedy before the board, a number of employers can’t recognize unions, since there is no force of law without the NLRB, and no new labor rules will be issued. Let's hope the President takes a leadership role to protect worker rights by keeping the NLRB whole.

THE GOP IN 2011: NO JOBS BILL AND TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT EXIST

2011-12-26T19:04:00.005-05:00

Rochester, N.Y. -- Never has this nation seen one of its two major parties so utterly bankrupt of any positive vision-- so devoid of any concept of how to make a better America. Instead, their consistent dedication is to blocking the efforts that others make to provide solutions to the nation's biggest problems-- even when the ideas used to be their own. The GOP is systematically dismantling what America has already achieved to make a more whole and just society, like gutting the Clean Air Act, supporting anti-equality legislation, abolishing the EPA and assaulting Social Security.

And, it seems the list of 2011 policy initiatives launched by Republicans to address problems that don't exist keeps growing. House GOP officials are passing measures to combat voter fraud, without instances of actual voter fraud. House Republicans voted to eliminate a proposed EPA farm-dust regulation, despite the fact that the EPA has no proposed farm-dust regulation. GOP officials recently passed a resolution to affirm "In God We Trust" as the national motto, but "In God We Trust" was already the national motto.

Now they're tackling restoration of tax benefits for millionaires. So, the party that shows its true nature by its complete lack of any positive vision, attempts to hide its moral bankruptcy by making a phony show of solving imaginary problems. In retrospect, how can they go back to their home districts and say they were fighting on behalf of their constituency? It’s laugh out loud funny that the only thing they have attempted to accomplish in the first year of the 112th Congressional Session is solve problems that don’t really exist.

It’s reprehensible. In 2010, they campaigned on jobs and have not delivered one jobs bill through the House of Representatives. That is just pathetic. Let us hope the American people see through this thinly disguised ploy to protect the 1 percent while putting the rest of America’s working class in jeopardy. Even though this sounds like an oversimplification of our complex world, it seems as if the GOP is crying out, “Every Man for Himself.” Heaven help us all.

TRUMKA: THIS IS A VICTORY

2011-12-25T13:03:00.001-05:00

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka with President Obama.
photo provided by Huffington Post

Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

As you may have heard by now, John Boehner and his caucus of Tea Party obstructionists in the House of Representatives finally accepted political reality. Yesterday, they announced they'd join with 89 out of 100 senators from both political parties who’d already voted to renew unemployment aid for two months—with no cuts and no strings attached.

This is an enormous victory. Thanks to you, 2.8 million jobless Americans will have a brighter holiday season—and a helping hand over the next two months. Not an easy time. Not a handout or a free ride. But a lifeline and a chance that you made possible.

In the fight to extend aid for the jobless, the 99% went on the offense against the 1% politicians. And we won. And if working people keep it up, we’ll score more victories and build a better future. Not every time—two steps forward, one step back. But look around. People all across the country are saying our economy and our democracy are out of balance. And they’re winning the public debate.

I hope you’ll take some well-deserved time this holiday season to rest, reflect and recharge. Because in 2012, huge challenges will keep on coming. And we’ll need you ready to start early, act often and work harder than ever.

I wish all the best for you and your family, for our unions and for our nation this holiday season and in the year ahead.

Thank you for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

STERLING COMFORT: A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM THE VOICE REPORTER

2011-12-24T12:15:00.001-05:00

THE POWER OF PROTEST

2011-12-22T02:55:00.001-05:00

JOHN BOEHNER: TEARS OF A CLOWN

2011-12-21T19:52:00.000-05:00

BREAKING: HOUSE GOP REJECTS PAYROLL TAX CUT; CONGRESS PARTISAN TO THE CORE

2011-12-20T10:38:00.004-05:00

Washington, D.C.-- The House Tuesday rejected a plan backed by President Barack Obama to extend a 2 percentage point payroll tax cut for two months to buy time for talks on a full-year renewal.

Republicans controlling the chamber are instead demanding immediate talks with the Senate on a year-long plan. The Senate has already left Washington for the holidays.

The House’s procedural vote fell short of actually voting down the Senate bill, which extends President Obama’s payroll tax cut, and other measures, for two months.

House Republicans chose the procedural path because many are uneasy with going on record as voting against the compromise package, a move that could leave them ultimately responsible if no other deal is reached before the tax break expires Dec. 31.

If Congress doesn't pass a bill by the end of the year, payroll taxes will go up for 160 million workers on Jan. 1. Almost 2 million people could lose unemployment benefits in January as well.

The House vote, 229-193, kicks the measure back to the Senate, where the bipartisan two-month measure passed on Saturday by a sweeping 89-10 vote. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., says he won't allow bargaining until the House approves the Senate's short-term measure.

The vote caps a partisan debate on Obama's jobs agenda, which has featured numerous campaign-style appearances but little real bipartisan negotiation, other than Senate talks last week that produced the two-month extension.

The Senate's short-term, lowest-common-denominator approach would renew a 2 percentage point cut in the Social Security payroll tax, plus jobless benefits averaging about $300 a week for the long-term unemployed, and would prevent a 27 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.

The House passed a full-year extension last week, containing many spending cuts opposed by Democrats.

House Republicans, however, have erupted in frustration at the Senate measure, which drops changes to the unemployment insurance system pressed by conservatives, along with cuts to President Barack Obama's health care law.

Also driving their frustration was that the Senate, as it so often does, appeared intent on leaving the House holding the bag — pressuring House lawmakers to go along with its plan.

Both sides were eager to position themselves as the strongest advocates of the payroll tax cut, with House Republicans accusing the Senate of lollygagging on vacation and Senate Democrats countering that the House was seeking a partisan battle rather than taking the obvious route of approving the stopgap bill to buy more time for negotiations.

EZRA KLEIN CHIMES IN ON DISMAL CONGRESS APPROVAL RATINGS

2011-12-20T08:39:00.000-05:00


Ezra Klein

From Ezra Klein: Congress is ending the year with an approval rating of 11 percent. That's the lowest they've dipped in the 30 years that Gallup has been asking Americans to rate them. And this isn't some one-time drop. As Gallup notes, it's been going on all year: "This earns Congress a 17% yearly average for 2011, the lowest annual congressional approval rating in Gallup history."

That's all the more extraordinary because 2011 hosted a new congress following a wave election. Tired of Democrats, Americans ushered in Republicans. Tired of career politicians, they opted, in many districts, for outsiders. Tired of establishment Republicans, they looked for Tea Party conservatives. Fast forward a year and Americans are tired, historically tired, of this congress, too.

Part of that is the grinding recovery from the financial crisis, of course. But check the headline leading the Washington Post today: "House Republicans intent on killing Senate payroll tax cut deal." That sort of thing isn't helping. And, increasingly, I'm hearing from sources who think the payroll tax really might expire, at least for a month or two. That's really not going to help. That's when the 112th Congress stops being bad at its job and becomes an active impediment to the recovery. That's when it literally begins taking money out of people's paychecks because Republicans refused to extend a tax cut -- a tax cut! -- unless they also got an oil pipeline.

This sort of gridlock is bad for the president, too, of course.

Obama's job approval, according to Gallup, is 42 percent. That's low. If the Republican strategy is to break Washington so badly that voters want to throw everyone out, they're well on their way. But there are a lot of incumbent Republicans included in that "everyone." Right now, InTrade gives Democrats a 30 percent chance of retaking the House in 2012. If money begins disappearing from paychecks next month, expect that to skyrocket. It will be, for ordinary voters, the most painful in a long list of failures that includes August's debt-ceiling debacle, March's near-government shutdown, and, by November 2012, any number of other items. That's going to be a hard record for majority legislators to get reelected on.

For a year now, House Republicans, working off their experience in 2010, have legislated as if they have more to fear from conservative primary challenges than from the frustrated, moderate voters who decide many general elections. That strategy has left them the most disliked Congress in the history of polling. If they keep it up for another 11 months, they may well come to learn they were wrong.

BREAKING NEWS: ONCE AGAIN THE GOP IS FAILING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

2011-12-19T15:48:00.014-05:00

Washington, D.C.-- Here’s the latest out of our nation's capital: After the Senate -- including 39 Republicans who voted for a middle class tax cut -- Tea Party Republicans in the House rebelled this weekend to kill the bill.

With a tax cut for 160 million U.S. workers set to expire in less than two weeks, Republicans and Democrats in Congress on Monday were mired in a last-ditch battle over extending it.

Now, House Republicans are scheduled to vote tonight to scrap the compromise and sock the middle class with a $1,000 tax hike on January 1st.

House Republicans initially opposed renewing the tax break, which expires on December 31, after expressing skepticism that it would boost the economy as the White House claimed. The Tea Party is mugging working families and the middle class with a tax increase because they don't think millionaires and corporations should pay their fair share.

They also want to destroy any resemblance of good governance-- and make sure they foil the President under any circumstance. The problem is-- this isn't about the President. It's about the American people and saving our economy but the GOP doesn't seem to care about the citizens they represent. They would rather stick it to the President and see working families suffer-- any progress would put Obama in a much more favorable light entering his reelection bid in 2012. Growing our economy is secondary to ousting Obama. "We the People" are just collateral damage and political pawns in their twisted game of one-upmanship. It's pathetic.

The truth is that Tea Party Republicans oppose anything and everything under the sun that might help the middle class or force their millionaire benefactors to pay their fair share.

As news reports trickled in about Republican Members of Congress facing the heat this weekend when they returned home, any progress on the tax holiday or funding unemployment insurance looks bleak. However, the GOP is known for unprincipled "noodle-boned" strategy and may cave under the weight of their constituents.

We can’t let up now. Putting additional pressure on Congress now could push them to the tipping point. The clock is ticking and we need your urgent support for this campaign to extend a tax break for working families and extend unemployment insurance benefits for tax-paying citizens who are presently out of work. Contact your representative now.

We need you to stop what you’re doing, pick up the phone and dial 1-888-245-3381. Tell the person who answers the phone: “Please pass the Senate’s bill to extend unemployment aid and middle-class tax cuts immediately.”

You can also call House Speaker John Boehner at 202-225-0600. Tell him, “ You and your Tea Party supporters can’t keep hurting the American people just so you can get what you want. Stop this temper tantrum and pass the Senate’s bipartisan bill to extend unemployment aid and middle-class tax cuts now.”

GOP OBSTRUCTIONISM BLOCKS GREEN APPOINTMENT AND PUTS LABOR LAWS IN LIMBO

2011-12-19T10:41:00.007-05:00

Monroe County
DA Mike Green

Washington, D.C.-- Senate Republicans are taking steps to try to block President Barack Obama from using his power to make appointments while lawmakers are away for the holidays. This is what you get when you elect the most extreme ring wing radicals Congress has ever seen. However, the president could hold a trump card or two-- we'll see how he plays his hand.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took the first shot on Saturday, saying he would allow Senate votes on Obama nominees only if the president dropped the idea of using his recess appointment powers.

Republicans also moved to keep the Senate technically in session through late January, when senators plan to return to Washington, the same tactic they used during a break in May. By keeping the session open, the president can't make recess appointments. The main target has been former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, the president's pick to head the new--and contentious--Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In local news, Monroe County District Attorney Michael Green will not be renominated for a Rochester vacancy on the federal court, White House spokesman Brandon Lepow said Sunday.

The Senate returned Green's nomination to the White House on Saturday and left Washington for a month-long break.

The decision means President Barack Obama will have to find another candidate to fill the nearly 3-year-old vacancy in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

The vacancy dates back to March 2009, when Rochester-based U.S. District Judge David Larimer turned 65 and declared himself as having "senior status."

Once Obama names a new nominee, it will set in motion a process that could take months as the new candidate's background is investigated by the FBI and the Senate Judiciary Committee then schedules a confirmation hearing.

Green was nominated by Obama in January of 2011, but it was not until May that the committee held his confirmation hearing. The committee approved his nomination in a mid-June voice vote, but Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah voted against his nomination.

Green could not be reached for comment. In a statement to the press on Sunday, New York Senator Chuck Schumer directed his aim at Republican obstructionism and "politics" for blocking the Green appointment.

Labor laws in limbo

Unless something changes in Washington, American workers will, on New Year’s Day, effectively lose their right to be represented by a union. Two of the five seats on the National Labor Relations Board are vacant. And on Dec. 31, the term of Craig Becker, a labor lawyer whom President Obama named to the board last year through a recess appointment, will expire.

Without a quorum, the Supreme Court ruled last year, the board cannot decide cases. What would this mean? Workers illegally fired for union organizing won’t be reinstated with back pay. Employers will be able to get away with interfering with union elections. Perhaps most important, employers won’t have to recognize unions despite a majority vote by workers. Without the board to enforce labor law, most companies will not voluntarily deal with unions.

DENIS HUGHES RETIRES; NYS AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPOINTS CILENTO

2011-12-18T13:07:00.004-05:00

Mario Cilento

Albany, N.Y.-- Our state’s largest labor group has a new president, promoting the chief of staff to take over as our next leader.

Mario Cilento is officially the New York State AFL-CIO’s new president after he was unanimously elected to the post by our umbrella group’s executive council, the group announced on December 16.

Cilento takes over for Denis Hughes, who announced his retirement last month. He takes over immediately.

“I am honored, humbled and feel incredibly privileged to have been elected President of the New York State AFL-CIO,” Cilento said a statement. “The labor movement in this state has always risen to the challenges laid before us. Together, as one movement, we will once again meet those challenges, and provide a brighter economic future for all working men and women.”

His elevation comes at an interesting time for our labor movement in New York. Earlier this year, the state’s top two public employees union — the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation — agreed to contract terms with the state, which included pay freezes and higher health care contributions.

The labor unions also had taken aim at Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his position on the state’s expiring millionaires’ tax, but those concerns were largely alleviated when Cuomo brokered a deal to change the state’s tax code and raise rates on the wealthy.

Cuomo has pushed for a less generous pension tier for new state employees, though he hasn’t signaled if he will continue that push in 2012.

In the AFL-CIO’s press release, Cilento said he will work to get the labor movement on the same page. He had been Denis Hughes’ chief of staff.

“Make no mistake about it, this is a statewide movement,” Cilento said. “From Buffalo to Montauk and everywhere in between we will create a groundswell of activism to educate our members on the issues of the day, and as a result, be better able to mobilize them.”

STERLING SAYS THE 112TH CONGRESS IS THE WORST EVER

2011-12-17T20:55:00.000-05:00

112TH CONGRESS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD: WORST.CONGRESS.EVER.

2011-12-17T17:23:00.015-05:00

Washington, D.C.-- In a tumultuous year of last-minute, half-baked federal legislation, the Senate voted overwhelmingly today to extend a payroll tax cut for two months, with the chamber’s leaders and the White House proclaiming victory, even as they pushed the issue of how to extend the tax cut and unemployment benefits into the new year.

Who is paying for the two-month extension of the payroll tax cut working its way through Congress? Nope-- it's not the uber-rich. According to the Washington Post, the cost is being dropped in the laps of most people who buy homes or refinance beginning next year.

In an unusual vote, the Senate approved a $30 billion package to extend unemployment benefits, a payroll tax holiday for millions of American workers and to avoid cuts in payments to doctors who accept Medicare through February, when Congress will once again be locked in battle over whether and how to further extend those provisions. It seems that our elected officials are more concerned about going home for the holidays rather than doing the people's business.

The agreement-- should it get through the House-- mirrors a series of last minute deals devised by the 112th Congress that appear to solve nothing to an impending crisis, but simply kicks the can down the road. Most notably, the non-agreement last summer to raise the debt ceiling still looms large over this Congress. That created a 12-member Congressional committee whose job was to complete the deficit reduction goals that Congress failed to achieve on their own. That group achieved absolutely nothing, necessitating this legislation that Congress is wrangling with now. It's ridiculous. Pardon us if we seem to be underwhelmed by their so-called, "progress."

A failure to even extend a modest tax break for 160 million Americans for a single year — something both sides would love to accomplish with an impending election year coming up — is particularly remarkable in a Congress charged with avoiding far more significant items like job creation and easing unemployment. The second and last year of this session in 2012, coupled with a presidental and congressional elections, will no doubt be a nightmare for good government groups. As far as we are concerned, the 112th Congress has already proven that they are the WORST.CONGRESS.EVER.

The measure, which passed 89 to 10, would also speed the decision process for the construction of an oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast.

The temporary payroll-tax measure would include a House-passed provision requiring a White House decision on whether to allow the controversial Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days. Absent would be a provision delaying regulations on industrial boilers – the so-called Boiler MACT rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. President Obama last week said he would not accept the Keystone provision but Democrats said they will argue, as Republicans have, that it does not actually bind the White House, allowing it to put off the project if the president declares it not to be in the national interest.

Environmentalists carry a giant faux pipeline across from the North Lawn of the White House on Sunday Nov. 6, 2011. photo: Richard A. Bloom

While this pipeline provision is necessary to win over Republicans who opposed the tax break, the White House moved furiously to portray that concession, which President Obama threatened to veto just a week ago, as a boon for Democrats. What the freakin' pipeline has to do with a payroll tax holiday is any one's guess-- it's just political calisthenics from the mindless GOP hoping to paint the President into a corner.

However, the White House wants to spin the developments this way. “This is an important step towards enacting a key provision of the President’s American Jobs Act and a significant victory for the American people and the economy, said Dan Pfeiffer, White House communications director, late Friday. “Because as independent analysts have said, failing to extend this tax cut would have had a damaging effect on our recovery and job growth.” Whatever.

Some Democratic aides said this concession would have the effect of killing the pipeline project because the Obama administration has said it would not grant approval on a truncated timeline-- something the GOP was politically strategizing.

Republicans, who have spent much of the year being obstructionists say that tax breaks for Americans should not require offsets, also celebrated the deal as a "political win" and showed they really could care less about working Americans.

We believe they were referring to a report released by the Congressional Budget Office, which states the bill should reduce the deficit by about $3 billion.

With House members back in their districts and not expected back in the Capitol until sometime next week, it was not clear that the legislation will even pass muster in the Senate. And, many Republicans hate the idea of giving President Obama another few months — overlapping his state of the union address — to beat up on their party over the extension of the payroll tax cut, which many rank and file members dislike in principle. Another weapon for Obama is the fact that Republicans openly support the 1 percent, saying a surtax on the wealthiest Americans is a non-starter in negotiations that would provide a must needed revenue boost during a down economy.

While House Speaker John A. Boehner and other Republican leaders in the House were briefed on the Senate plan Friday, they could not commit the support of the Republican conference. “We have not signed off on anything at this point,” said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Mr. Boehner, “and no decisions will be made until we talk to our members.” The 112th Congressional saga continues.

A VOICE REPORTER WISH LIST FOR 2012: EXTINGUISH CORPORATE PERSONHOOD

2011-12-16T20:02:00.012-05:00

CORPORATE PERSONHOOD THREATENS DEMOCRACY: AMEND IT
photo: Bess Watts/Voice Reporter

Rochester, N.Y.-- Jan. 21, 2012 will be the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Citizens United vs. FEC, which infamously granted First Amendment rights to corporations, allowing them unfettered access when it comes to financing elections.

President Obama stated that the decision "gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington — while undermining the influence of average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates." Obama later elaborated by saying, "this ruling strikes at our democracy itself" and "I can't think of anything more devastating to the public interest."

We at the Voice Reporter continue to believe that our political system is awash in money and needs reform. With the advent of such civil unrest and the Occupy movements dominating the national narrative, the public is increasingly more aware of the immediate threat to democracy under this horrible ruling.

We believe that the court has, in effect, legalized foreign governments and foreign corporations to participate in our electoral politics.

Our campaign finance reform wish list

After review of several proposals that already have been filed in Congress to address the way elections are funded, we came up with a few that highlight our wish list to be enacted for 2012. They include:

*A measure stating that corporations do not have the same constitutional rights as persons. This Senate measure is sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and is similar to a House measure called OCCUPIED – the Outlawing Corporate Cash Undermining the Public Interest in our Elections and Democracy Amendment. That proposal is sponsored by Rep. Deutch, a Florida Democrat.

The Constitution of this country has served us well, but when the Supreme Court says that attempts by the federal government and states to impose reasonable restrictions on campaign ads are unconstitutional, our democracy is in grave danger. Consequently, we at the Voice Reporter are delighted that Sen. Sanders recently introduced a resolution in the Senate calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

*A measure to publicly finance Senate campaigns. Pending in both House and Senate committees, this measure has 13 Senate cosponsors and 79 House cosponsors.

*A measure that would require publicly held companies to inform shareholders before making political donations. This measure has nine cosponsors in the Senate and 47 cosponsors in the House.

*A measure that would clarify the authority of Congress to regulate and restrict the political activity of corporations of any sort, including contributions in support or in opposition to a candidate for public office. This House measure, sponsored by Rep. Donna Edwards, a Maryland Democrat, has 27 cosponsors.

*A measure to directly reverse the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United. This resolution has eight cosponsors in the House and 18 cosponsors in the Senate.

These bills are just a start and the language of some of these efforts need improvement. However, we feel that if the labor movement and our coalition partners focus it's collective energy on these proposals, it will be a fight worth the investment and pay dividends to working families down the road.

-The opinion expressed here reflects the views of the Voice Reporter only and does not represent CSEA as an organization.

NBA ADDS LGBT PROTECTIONS TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

2011-12-15T08:19:00.005-05:00

New York-- On December 8, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced they would be adopting a non-discrimination policy that covers sexual orientation as part of their collective bargaining agreement.

The announcement came on the same day that HRC released the 2012 Corporate Equality Index, which scores U.S. employers on their policies and practices pertinent to LGBT employees. Earlier this year, the National Football League and Major League Baseball added sexual orientation to their nondiscrimination protections as well.

Historically, the NBA has been widely known to be a hostile workplace, evidenced by a string of homophobic rants and tirades by the some of the more visible basketball stars, including Tim Hardaway and Kobe Bryant. Other sources close to the NBA culture say that homophobia is still rampant, and in some instances, unapologetic and encouraged.

Because there are no legal protections for workers at the federal level, many private employers have adopted policies to protect their LGBT employees against unfair employment practices. HRC called on the NBA to adopt non-discrimination policies that cover sexual orientation and gender identity, and will continue to advocate for the inclusion of gender identity in their nondiscrimination policy.

Over the last year, a number of professional athletes have worked with social justice organizations to promote LGBT equality in America. Most recently, NBA great Steve Nash, Sean Avery of the NHL, and the NFL’s Michael Strahan, Brendan Ayanbadejo and Scott Fujita all participated in video ads speaking out in favor of marriage equality. With some encourgement, the arc of justice seems to be bending toward workplace equality.

Adopting policies to protect all NBA workers, whether they are clerical staff, front office workers or even players, is a step in the right direction-- or should we say, a "leap forward."

CALL TO ACTION: ATTEND MONROE COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETING DEC. 13

2011-12-12T20:16:00.003-05:00

9 DEMANDS OF THE 99 PERCENT

2011-12-12T17:20:00.002-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- It's time we get America working again. The AFL-CIO is partnering with Working America in the 9 Demands of the 99% campaign. Here’s your chance to make your voice be heard.

Americans are tired of being part of the 99% in a country that only works for the 1%. Join the movement and tell Wall Street and corporate America it’s time for a change.

What do you think needs to be done to make America work for the “other” 99%? Here are 8 demands being made by the AFL-CIO and Working America on half of working families. Add your own 9th demand at the end.

Demand #1: Tax Wall Street for gambling with our money. Pass the financial speculation tax.

Demand #2: Support education. Put teachers back in classrooms and ease the crippling burden of student debt.

Demand #3: Keep working families in their homes. Pass a mortgage relief plan that puts the needs of homeowners above the greed of mortgage bankers.

Demand #4: End too big to fail. Rein in the big banks and hold the people who caused the financial crisis accountable.

Demand #5: Fair share of taxes from the 1%. End the Bush tax cuts for the 1% and close corporate tax loopholes.

Demand #6: Businesses should invest in jobs. Corporations must stop sitting on their profits and start hiring again here in America.

Demand #7: Extend unemployment insurance. Millions of Americans are still out of work, and unemployment insurance is a vital lifeline.

Demand #8: End corporate control of our democracy. Abolish "corporate personhood” and restore full voting rights to real people.

Sign the petition and add your own 9th demand.

WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

2011-12-10T17:57:00.000-05:00

MEET THE SIGN MAKERS: ANNE TISCHER AND BESS WATTS

2011-12-10T00:43:00.003-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- Do you ever ask yourself, "Where do those great protest signs come from?" You know, the ones you see every day on the streets, in the newspaper, television news and all over the web? Well, this video slideshow is your answer. Take a peek.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO YOUR NYS TAXES? READ IT HERE

2011-12-08T10:31:00.004-05:00

Albany, N.Y.-- New York's second major income tax increase in two years will charge millionaires more, and give 4.4 million middle-class residents a well deserved break worth $200 to $400 a year.

Under the plan backed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which the state Senate passed 55-0 late Wednesday night and the Assembly approved 130-8 early Thursday morning, those tax breaks will go to most households with annual earnings of $40,000 to $300,000, or single filers making $20,000 to $150,000 a year.

To pay for it, the state will rely on households making over $2 million or single filers making $1 million to pay higher taxes. Their income tax rate will increase from 6.85 percent to 8.82 percent on Jan. 1.

"This was a function of an economic reality and deteriorating economic conditions," Cuomo said after the Senate vote. He said it should help stimulate jobs with some of the tax cuts and construction spending, while closing about $1.5 billion of a projected $3.5 billion state deficit next year with higher revenues overall.

The tax increase will raise $2 billion to pay for the middle-class tax break, a break in the New York City transit tax for small businesses, a public-private infrastructure repair fund, a tax break for manufacturers, and $50 million in aid to upstate communities trying to recover from historic flooding in the late summer. The funding is also expected to avoid another year of cuts to education and health care.

Meanwhile, households making $300,000 to $2 million -- or single filers making $150,000 to $1 million a year -- will pay the same 6.85 percent rate they would have paid come Jan. 1, when a temporary tax surcharge expires.

The three-year package agreed to by Cuomo and legislative leaders provides a new tax structure that continues to focus on the disparity between New York's rich and poor. A 2009 bill at the beginning of the state's fiscal crisis created a temporary surcharge that increased the income tax rates for New Yorkers making $200,000, hitting millionaires with the highest rate just 0.15 of 1 percentage more than the new rate approved by Cuomo, Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

NYS Assembly Leader Silver exiting the
Legislative Chamber on Dec. 6, 2011.
photo provided

For over a year, Silver has pushed for a millionaire tax. But he was strongly opposed by Skelos who said it conflicted with basic Republican values, and by Cuomo who promised in his campaign to freeze taxes in what he called one of the most heavily taxes states in the country.

"I think we were able to put together a good package and showed that government in New York is functioning, that we are different from what is happening in Washington," Silver said. "We are facing the same economic climate and we are trying to do something about it ... and we will not be faced with the severity of cuts that we would otherwise be faced with next year. We're putting fairness and equity into our tax code."

Until last week, a millionaire tax was officially dead in Albany, according to both Cuomo, Skelos and most labor officials. It's almost "shocking" to most insiders that something like this tax reform package could pass so quickly and with so little theatrics-- Albany insiders also say it would of never happened under previous administrations.

But in the last few days, Cuomo instead led the Legislature toward Silver's top priority. Cuomo made the case that the world and national economies continued to be unstable, while weak revenues created an unexpected $350 million deficit this year and a projected $3.5 billion deficit for 2012-13.

"While I am against higher taxes and I believe our long-term economic future for this state is enhanced by in fact lowering taxes to make us more competitive ... If I were to close the entire gap by budget cuts it would decimate essential services doing real harm to the state's economy and strangling local governments all across this state," Cuomo told reporters.

Some critics of the tax reform, like the OccupyAlbany group, say the bill didn't go far enough. While taxes may decrease for some in the middle-class, the overall impact leaves a 3 billion dollar bump up for the wealthy when you figure in the millionaire's tax expiring on December 31.

One AlbanyOccupier tweeted, "Is that really fair taxation?" Other progressive groups suggest that besides adjusting personal income tax rates, more could be done to fix corporate tax loopholes and create higher tax brackets for the super-rich to create more revenue in a down economy.

FINGER LAKES REGION AWARDED $68.8 MILLION FOR 93 PROJECTS

2011-12-08T09:45:00.003-05:00

Albany, N.Y.-- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $785 million has been awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, continuing the Governor's efforts to redesign the way state government works in order to drive economic growth and create jobs.

Announced in July, Regional Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state's approach to economic development from a top-down development model to a community-based, performance driven approach which empowers individual areas to develop comprehensive strategic plans that invest in regional solutions to create jobs and economic growth. As part of the Regional Council process, a Strategic Plan Review Committee was chosen to analyze and rank the strategic plans for each region competing for $200 million in specially targeted economic development funding.

Strategy for Investing in Educated Workforce and Advanced Manufacturing

The Finger Lakes' strategic plan built on existing natural resources, a talented and educated workforce, and a commitment to innovation and philanthropy. It also built off the area's standing as the state's top agricultural region, its national leadership in per capita intellectual property and degrees in higher education.

The plan focused on the region's existing collaborations between public and private institutions to optimize performance in advanced manufacturing, the arts, tourism, and basic and applied research in medicine, science, engineering, and technology.

Encouraging Innovation

$5 million will help expand a partnership between the University of Rochester and IBM and will support a new Health Sciences Center for Computational Innovation. The partnership will continue to work to create the world's most powerful computer system dedicated to health research. The center will also enable the university to grow its research funding and accelerate the development of the region's life sciences sector.

Enhancing Strategic Industries

$3.5 million will go to NYBEST Battery and Energy Storage Product Commercialization Center. This funding will help renovate and equip a facility to build, test and characterize batteries and energy storage devices at the Eastman Business Park in Rochester.

$2.5 million will help construct a new business incubator at High Technology Rochester to ensure better coordination among fledgling tech-sector startups.

More than $1.5 million will be used for advanced manufacturing projects, including $1.25 million for e2e Materials, Inc. to establish a full-scale production facility. This new facility will manufacture sustainable bio-composite products that replace high-volume wood/wood composite materials in applications such as cabinetry, furniture and automotive components in Geneva.

Tourism & Arts

$2.28 million will support the development of a new Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum located at Keuka Lake State Park.

Geographical Breakdown

The approved Finger Lakes regional plan includes 93 funded projects totaling $68.8 million. Here’s the complete breakdown of who is getting what:

•Western: $100.3m

•Southern Tier: $49.4m

•Finger Lakes: $68.8m

•Central NY: $103.7m

•Mohawk Valley: $60.2m

•North Country: $103.2m

•Capital Region: $62.7m

•Mid Hudson: $67m

•NYC: $66.2m

•Long Island: $101.6m

For a full appendix of these projects, go to this link.

CUOMO AND LEGISLATURE WILL MEET IN SPECIAL SESSION TO OVERHAUL TAX RATES

2011-12-06T18:42:00.007-05:00

Photo: Ove Overmyer

Albany, N.Y.-- It looks like all this lobbying is finally paying dividends. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders on Tuesday announced that they had reached an agreement to raise taxes on New York State’s wealthiest residents as part of a deal to overhaul the tax rates. However, critics would argue that it doesn't go far enough. Considering the dire straits we are in, this is better than no action at all. At best, this effort is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.

The leaders, seeking simultaneously to make the state’s income tax system more progressive and to increase tax collections during a down economy, announced their agreement as lawmakers began to arrive at the Capitol for an expected special session of the Legislature later this week.

The tentative agreement would not only raise taxes for the wealthy, but also cut taxes for the middle class, by creating four new tax brackets and tax rates. The officials said the tax rate changes would generate $1.9 billion in annual revenue for the state.

“This would be lowest tax rate for middle class families in 58 years,” Mr. Cuomo said in a statement. “This job-creating economic plan defies the political gridlock that has paralyzed Washington and shows that we can make government work for the people of this state once again.”

The state’s current income tax rates are relatively flat, taxing any individuals who earn $20,000 or more, as well as couples who earn $40,000 or more and file joint tax returns, at the same 6.85 percent rate.

For the last three years, individuals who earned more than $200,000 a year, and couples who earned more than $300,000, have also been subjected to a tax surcharge called a “millionaires’ tax.”

Under the proposal announced Tuesday, for married couples filing jointly, income from $40,000 to $150,000 would be taxed at 6.45 percent; from $150,000 to $300,000 at 6.65 percent; from $300,000 to $2 million at 6.85 percent, and over $2 million at 8.82 percent.

It is important to realize that changing the tax rates and brackets would allow the state to replace some, but not all, of the revenue to be lost when the so-called millionaires’ tax expires on Dec. 31.

Cuomo has come under increasing pressure from Democrats and labor unions in recent weeks as the sluggish economy weakened the state’s financial picture, widening next year’s projected state budget gap to as much as $3.5 billion, and as the Occupy Wall Street movement directed more attention to the issue of income inequality. We are encouraged by these developments, but we stop short by saying that all is well. In fact, it would be prudent to make these tax changes permament-- this proposed plan would expire at the end of 2013.

We would like to thank anyone and everyone who has contributed to this effort-- however, we are not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination. Our state still faces huge challenges in the coming budget year. The fight for dignity and respect for the working class rages on.

CALL TO ACTION: CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW!

2011-12-06T08:30:00.001-05:00

photo: nycapitolnews.com

Albany, N.Y.-- This weekend we learned that Governor Cuomo is calling the Legislature back into session to talk about tax reform. With Governor Cuomo’s unprecedented special session set to start in just a matter of hours and backroom discussions already underway your State Senator, Assembly member and Governor Cuomo himself need to hear from you right away!

We need our elected officials to make choices we can be proud of and fight for tax fairness. We must have the necessary revenue to protect public safety, maintain essential public services, and keep our schools safe.

Please call 1-877-823-4343 right now and ask Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to make sure the $5 billion budget hole is filled and jobs and essential public services are protected.

For months, you have helped put pressure on the Governor and the Legislature to stop trying to win this fight with one hand tied behind their backs. You told the Governor that New York’s wealthiest didn’t deserve yet another tax break-- and now it's time to seal the deal.

Call 1-877-823-4343 right now and let your Assembly member, Senator, and Governor Cuomo know that we need them to build a better New York for all and make sure whatever deal is reached protects public services and fills the $5 billion hole created by the expiration of the Millionaire’s Tax.

Please forward this e-mail to your friends, family, co-workers and e-mail lists. If you click here to send a fax, you can also print out a flier you can share at your workplace. Our elected officials need to hear from all of us, so please help spread the word.

In Solidarity,

Cris Zaffuto
Ove Overmyer
CSEA Monroe County Political Action Committee

SUPPORT FAIR SHARE TAX PLAN AND ATTEND PRESS CONFERENCE ON 12/7

2011-12-05T18:57:00.004-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- CSEA is asking members to support a fair-share tax plan and attend a press conference or make the call to your legislator.

Elected officials, community leaders, grassroots activists and everyday New Yorkers will join together all this week to speak out in favor of keeping the Millionaires Tax. We are supporting a tax revenue plan that serves our state’s needs: fairer budgets and real job creation.

As part of this effort, we are spreading the word through press conferences and calls to our representatives in Albany. Please join the press conference in your area:

Rochester & Monroe County
Wednesday, December 7 at 11am
NYSUT, Rochester Teachers Association
30 North Union St, Rochester, N.Y.

For more information about 99% New York, you can here.

VIDEO: OUR FREEDOM IS NOT NEGOTIABLE

2011-12-05T18:27:00.000-05:00

ROCHESTER LABOR: A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

2011-12-04T20:46:00.001-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.-- The only thing that remains the same is change itself. Rochester, N.Y. has a rich labor history. For more information about our labor community, you can visit the Rochester Labor Council website or visit the Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation homepage.

Special thanks to Linda Donahue, Marilyn Anderson and John Garlock for their assistance in the making of this video slideshow. Video production by Ove Overmyer.

STERLING COMFORT: ARE THERE ANY BIG THINKERS AND DOERS OUT THERE?

2011-12-04T12:08:00.001-05:00

Rochester, N.Y.—Hey! Sterling here at my favorite coffee stop-- Equal Grounds on South Avenue. All this ridiculous GOP presidential crap has got me thinking. Are we still a country of big thinkers?

I am real worried that our inability to match the achievements of the 1960s space program might be symptomatic of a general failure of our society to get big things done. My parents and grandparents witnessed the creation of the airplane, the automobile, nuclear energy and the computer to name only a few.

Scientists and engineers who came of age during the first half of the 20th century could look forward to building things that would solve age-old problems, transform the landscape, build the economy, and provide jobs for the burgeoning middle class that was the basis for our stable democracy.

There was a time when Republicans were not all that bad. After all, they used to be the party of Lincoln. Republicans historically were the progressive visionaries! Republicans gave us the transcontinental railroad, the interstate highway system, the purchase of Alaska, and the Panama Canal.

Today, they don't even want to repair the very infrastructure they helped create. They have no ideas. They are just puppets on a string orchestrated by the corporate elite. They even took an oath to a tax zealot and have lost any sense of moral obligation to the majority of Americans. What a shame.

And the same is true here in Rochester, New York. It was Republicans like Gordon Howe and Lucien Morin that gave us our County water system, county parks system, county sewer system. None of that would even happen today! Most of our local GOP delegations are small minded divisive pawns—incapable of creative or independent thinking.

The question remains, are we still capable of doing big things?