http://www.balconynewyork.com Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:02:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/27/layoff-threat-looms-anew/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/27/layoff-threat-looms-anew/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:08:03 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2733

by Casey Seiler

ALBANY -- As the Legislature prepares to return to Albany, Gov. David Paterson issued some of his toughest words yet for lawmakers and another group he's been at odds with for months: state worker unions.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/27/layoff-threat-looms-anew/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/27/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-paterson%e2%80%99s-threat-of-layoffs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/27/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-paterson%e2%80%99s-threat-of-layoffs/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:18:58 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2729

Albany - It is unconscionable for the governor to continue scapegoating state employees and their families for the fiscal crisis or use them as pawns in his negotiations with the Legislature.

The governor was irresponsible in his remarks at an event today to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state work force when it is still unclear how many state employees will leave state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI).]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/27/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-paterson%e2%80%99s-threat-of-layoffs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/23/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-renewed-threat-of-layoffs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/23/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-renewed-threat-of-layoffs/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:59:52 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2721
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, July 22, 2010

Albany - It is irresponsible for the Paterson administration to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state workforce when it is still unclear how many state employees will be leaving state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI).

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/23/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-renewed-threat-of-layoffs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/22/megna-layoff-planning-starts-next-month/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/22/megna-layoff-planning-starts-next-month/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:44:37 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2714

A top Paterson administration official said Wednesday that planning to lay off state workers — needed to realize $250 million in workforce savings counted in the budget — will begin in earnest next month.

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/22/megna-layoff-planning-starts-next-month/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/09/veto-puts-big-hole-in-school-budget/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/09/veto-puts-big-hole-in-school-budget/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:37:13 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2623

Forces Buffalo system to pay $11 million more

By Tom Precious
News Albany Bureau
Published: July 09, 2010

ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson issued yet another veto Thursday to prevent what he called a legislative end run to increase state spending on public schools.

But the fiscal fallout from the governor’s action includes blowing a $11 million hole in the Buffalo Public Schools budget, which could force another 200 layoffs in the system.

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/09/veto-puts-big-hole-in-school-budget/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/08/nysut-presses-to-save-teacher-center-funding/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/08/nysut-presses-to-save-teacher-center-funding/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:13:30 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2613

NYSUT Media Relations - July 7, 2010

ALBANY, N.Y. July 7, 2010 — New York State United Teachers today said it would continue to relentlessly press state legislators to fund the state's Teacher Centers, saying that shutting down the state's most effective program for training teachers "makes no sense."

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/07/08/nysut-presses-to-save-teacher-center-funding/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/15/states-emergency-spending-bill-okd-by-senate-34-27/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/15/states-emergency-spending-bill-okd-by-senate-34-27/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:11:57 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2509
by Tom Precious

ALBANY — With just hours to go before a threatened shutdown of state government, three Senate Republicans broke with their colleagues Monday to join Democrats in approving an emergency spending bill to keep agencies open and funding available for everything from nonprofit programs to unemployment checks.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/15/states-emergency-spending-bill-okd-by-senate-34-27/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/14/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-comptroller-dinapoli%e2%80%99s-commitment-to-the-state%e2%80%99s-pension-fund/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/14/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-comptroller-dinapoli%e2%80%99s-commitment-to-the-state%e2%80%99s-pension-fund/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:45:07 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2506

Albany -The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) applauds and supports state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s stand on protecting the state’s pension fund.

Comptroller DiNapoli has proven himself a tenacious defender of the fund and we have full faith and confidence in his ability to continue to protect the fund.

New York State’s pension fund is one of the few pension funds in the country that has remained fully funded during the economic downturn. The comptroller’s commitment to protect the fund from political tampering is one of the reasons the fund hasn’t slipped, the way many other public pension funds have.

PEF is the state’s second-largest state-employee union, representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/14/statement-of-pef-president-kenneth-brynien-on-comptroller-dinapoli%e2%80%99s-commitment-to-the-state%e2%80%99s-pension-fund/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/12/survey-tax-rich-to-save-schools/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/12/survey-tax-rich-to-save-schools/#comments Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:54:23 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2504

State teachers union poll reveals public backs shift of burden to wealthy

By RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau

ALBANY -- Message to incumbents: Raising taxes could be good for your political health. That's right, good, at least if it's a tax hike for the wealthiest of New Yorkers.

Those are the findings from a poll the state teachers union, New York State United Teachers, recently commissioned.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/12/survey-tax-rich-to-save-schools/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/11/new-york-seeks-to-pay-pension-fund-using-borrowing/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/11/new-york-seeks-to-pay-pension-fund-using-borrowing/#comments Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:26:42 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2502

by Danny Hakim

ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson and legislative leaders have tentatively agreed to allow the state and municipalities to borrow nearly $6 billion to help them make their required annual payments to the state pension fund. And, in classic budgetary sleight-of-hand, they will borrow the money to make the payments to the pension fund — from the same pension fund.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/11/new-york-seeks-to-pay-pension-fund-using-borrowing/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/10/parties-clash-as-albany-edges-closer-to-shutdown/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/10/parties-clash-as-albany-edges-closer-to-shutdown/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:46:23 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2422

By Nicholas Confessore

ALBANY — State officials began preparing on Wednesday for what they said would be the first government shutdown in New York history as prospects for the passage of another emergency budget bill grew cloudy.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/06/10/parties-clash-as-albany-edges-closer-to-shutdown/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/31/paterson-now-focuses-on-layoffs-to-cut-budget/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/31/paterson-now-focuses-on-layoffs-to-cut-budget/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:55:07 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2396

by Nicholas Confessore

Days after a state judge blocked his efforts to furlough half the state work force, Gov. David A. Paterson is crafting a plan that would lay off thousands of government workers at the beginning of next year, a move officials say is necessary to help balance the state budget. ]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/31/paterson-now-focuses-on-layoffs-to-cut-budget/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/28/balcony-hails-judges-ruling-on-furloughs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/28/balcony-hails-judges-ruling-on-furloughs/#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 18:56:26 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2373

Today, May 28, in a major victory for state employees and tax payers, Judge Lawrence Kahn issued a preliminary injunction against Governor Paterson's planned one-day-a-week furlough of state workers, saying it would cause irreparable harm to state employees and interrupt the delivery of vital state services.

BALCONY co-chair Alan Lubin commented, "BALCONY hails Judge Kahn's decision and offers support and solidarity to our members who brought this case against the governor. The governor must not be allowed to unilaterally abrogate contract law. We must find common ground." ]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/28/balcony-hails-judges-ruling-on-furloughs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/27/the-chief-for-the-record/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/27/the-chief-for-the-record/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 15:26:26 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2369

May 28th, 2010

A financier who co-chairs a business/labor partnership last week called for reviving the stock-transfer tax, saying it could bring a sorely needed $3 billion in revenue to the state.

Bruce Ventimiglia, the head of Saratoga Capital Management and co-chair of the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (BALCONY), called the reinstitution of the tax a "common sense temporary revenue-enhancer" that would help spare vital government services that face severe cuts as part of the state and local budget-balancing efforts.

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/27/the-chief-for-the-record/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/25/governor-paterson-calls-for-modified-sweetened-beverage-tax/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/25/governor-paterson-calls-for-modified-sweetened-beverage-tax/#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 17:27:40 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2341 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/25/governor-paterson-calls-for-modified-sweetened-beverage-tax/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/19/temporarily-utilize-the-stock-transfer-tax-a-good-solution-for-one-third-of-new-yorks-budget-deficit/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/19/temporarily-utilize-the-stock-transfer-tax-a-good-solution-for-one-third-of-new-yorks-budget-deficit/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 13:13:01 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2294 By Bruce Ventimiglia, Co-Chair BALCONY, chairman and president of Saratoga Capital Management, LLC, an asset allocation company.



New York State is facing a financial crisis the likes of which it has never seen. In addition to facing a $9.2 billion budget deficit, this year will mark the first time ever that the state's general fund will operate in the red in May and June. The provision of vital state services is in jeopardy. For example, repair and renovation of New York's bridges and roads has largely come to a halt putting thousands of jobs and New Yorkers' safety at risk. In addition, huge cuts to education, health care, and human services are being considered. Furthermore, at a time when our fellow New Yorkers are already choking on their taxes, new taxes on soda, mortgages and vehicles are being proposed.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/19/temporarily-utilize-the-stock-transfer-tax-a-good-solution-for-one-third-of-new-yorks-budget-deficit/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/15/jobs-for-albany%e2%80%99s-do-nothings-editorial/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/15/jobs-for-albany%e2%80%99s-do-nothings-editorial/#comments Sat, 15 May 2010 17:36:11 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2281

Here are two important dates to keep in mind. April 1. That’s when New York State was supposed to have a new budget. And June 1. That’s when the state is scheduled to make a payment to local schools that is about $1 billion more than the cash on hand.

Forty-five days after the April deadline and Gov. David Paterson and the leaders of the Legislature can’t agree on how to close a $9.2 billion deficit in the $136 billion budget. What are they doing? Blaming each other and hoping the economy will bounce back or that somehow they can put off painful decisions until after the election. The way we hear it, they’re not even negotiating in person.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/15/jobs-for-albany%e2%80%99s-do-nothings-editorial/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/15/gov-paterson-delays-doling-out-1-5b-in-school-aid-so-cash-strapped-state-can-pay-its-bills/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/15/gov-paterson-delays-doling-out-1-5b-in-school-aid-so-cash-strapped-state-can-pay-its-bills/#comments Sat, 15 May 2010 16:52:49 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2278

BY Adam Lisberg and Glenn Blain

Gov. Paterson plans to delay another $1.5 billion in school aid to keep the cash-strapped state from going broke next month.

Budget Division boss Robert Megna said the school money must be held back because the state faces a $1 billion cash shortfall next month - and needs the school money to pay the bills.

Still, team Paterson finds itself in a pickle: State law requires the school aid to be handed out by June 1.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/15/gov-paterson-delays-doling-out-1-5b-in-school-aid-so-cash-strapped-state-can-pay-its-bills/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/judge-grants-pef%e2%80%99s-tro-on-furloughs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/judge-grants-pef%e2%80%99s-tro-on-furloughs/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 01:32:50 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2274 PEF is extremely pleased with the court decision issued today granting the temporary restraining order that prevents furloughs of state employees scheduled to begin the week of May 17.

This decision will allow state services to continue uninterrupted and prevent hardships to the taxpayers who depend on them.

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/judge-grants-pef%e2%80%99s-tro-on-furloughs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/federal-court-grants-tro-stopping-state-furloughs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/federal-court-grants-tro-stopping-state-furloughs/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 01:29:21 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2271

ALBANY - In a major victory for working people, the U.S District Court for the Northern District of New York has granted a temporary restraining order preventing Governor David Paterson from proceeding with his planned furloughs of state employees.

]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/federal-court-grants-tro-stopping-state-furloughs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/judge-temporarily-blocks-furlough-of-state-workers/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/judge-temporarily-blocks-furlough-of-state-workers/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 00:24:20 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2265

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE

ALBANY — A federal judge temporarily blocked on Wednesday a one-day furlough of state workers scheduled by Gov. David A. Paterson for next week, reversing a plan that Mr. Paterson has said is necessary to keep the state from running out of money at the end of the month.

Judge Lawrence E. Kahn of United States District Court issued a temporary restraining order against Mr. Paterson, after unions representing state employees and public university teachers filed a lawsuit alleging that the furloughs, approved by the Legislature on Monday, were illegal.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/judge-temporarily-blocks-furlough-of-state-workers/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/3-unions-sue-over-furloughs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/3-unions-sue-over-furloughs/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 13:16:09 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2231

Suits claim action eviscerates contracts; restraining order asked

By JIMMY VIELKIND, Capitol bureau

ALBANY--The furlough of unionized state workers is an evisceration of their contracts and "effectively revokes the essential bargained-for contractual rights" of the 100,000 workers affected, lawsuits filed Tuesday in federal court claim.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/12/3-unions-sue-over-furloughs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/11/new-york-legislature-approves-1-day-furloughs/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/11/new-york-legislature-approves-1-day-furloughs/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 13:59:40 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2226

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE

ALBANY — The Legislature approved an emergency budget bill on Monday that would authorize Gov. David A. Paterson to furlough about 100,000 state employees, roughly half the state’s work force, without pay for one day.

Public employee unions contended that the furloughs, which officials said would be the first for state workers in New York, would be illegal, and they said they would seek a temporary restraining order in Federal District Court here to block Mr. Paterson’s plan.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/11/new-york-legislature-approves-1-day-furloughs/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/07/state-employees-from-brooklyn-to-buffalo-to-rally-against-furloughs-in-statewide-day-of-action/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/07/state-employees-from-brooklyn-to-buffalo-to-rally-against-furloughs-in-statewide-day-of-action/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 20:13:59 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2216

Albany - Members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) and members of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) will hold simultaneous rallies outside state offices across New York to protest the governor’s furlough proposal.

State employees representing every state agency will spend the lunch hour drawing attention to the effect the governor’s proposal would have on state services and the state’s economy.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/07/state-employees-from-brooklyn-to-buffalo-to-rally-against-furloughs-in-statewide-day-of-action/feed/ 0 http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/05/a-contract-is-a-contract-governor%e2%80%99s-big-mistake/ http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/05/a-contract-is-a-contract-governor%e2%80%99s-big-mistake/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 14:59:15 +0000 kevin http://www.balconynewyork.com/?p=2209

Alienating Unions, Contractors

By ALAN LUBIN

The future of New York State demands that a solid foundation of respect exist between state government and its workforce. That respect cannot exist if the public- and privatesector workers who retain state contracts cannot count on those contracts being honored.]]> http://www.balconynewyork.com/2010/05/05/a-contract-is-a-contract-governor%e2%80%99s-big-mistake/feed/ 0