PATERSON GRASPING FOR STRAWS

Governor Paterson wants to set the stage for the next governor to have the option to layoff unionized state workers

Albany, N.Y.--  Joe Spector, Gannett Newspapers Albany Bureau Chief, reports today that after attempts at delaying pay raises and implementing furloughs that didn’t work, Gov. David Paterson indicated this morning he will seek layoffs in the state work force starting Jan. 1 to achieve $250 million in budget savings.  This development is one more indication that Paterson has no clue how to solve our state budget problems other than to take out his frustrations on public employees.

Paterson is limited by a no-layoff pledge he made in June of 2009 with CSEA and PEF in order to get a less generous pension tier for new state employees.  But Paterson questioned whether the agreement can be broken, and also vowed to put the layoff plan in place by Jan. 1, 2011 when the no-layoff pledge would end. 

Not only is Paterson not a man of his word, he doesn't seem to understand that collective bargaining agreements and memorandums of understanding are legal binding contracts that are time honored cornerstones of American jurisprudence.

Paterson and the state legislators have yet to reach an agreement on a budget, so they have been passing one-week extenders to keep state government operating.  Does anyone in Albany have an original thought?

CSEA President Danny Donohue responded to the Governor's statement by saying, ""It is unfortunate that Governor David Paterson continues to engage in threats and counterproductive rhetoric instead of focusing on securing a budget that will work for all the people of New York."

He added, "It's also interesting that the Governor is making his threats against dedicated state employees at the same time that Kelly Services is advertising for temporary jobs to work in state agencies despite a state hiring freeze and other drastic measures being put forth."

To read the full article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, you can go here.