We Need Fair Teacher Evaluations by Alan Lubin, Co–chair of BALCONY

Blaming teachers for everything that’s wrong with education has become a blood sport in Albany and even many city halls across New York State.

It’s wrong – it’s cruel and it’s pulling the wool over the eyes of students, parents and everyone else who depends on state services for basic services like police and fire protection, quality health care, efficient mass transit systems, secure prisons and top-flight colleges and universities.

While there are many fine ideas in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new budget proposal, as far as teacher evaluations, he is stirring needless division and undermining his administration’s admirable first year record of building political and policy consensus.

A centerpiece of Cuomo’s budget address dealt with teacher evaluations. No one in education or the business community would argue that teachers should be evaluated fairly, denied tenure if they don’t perform well in their first three years on the job and terminated if they prove unsatisfactory year after year.

But the governor’s tactical plan in achieving these objectives is not the right way to go.

He essentially told the state and local teachers’ unions and the State Education Department they must agree to an evaluation plan within 30 days or he will impose one on them. The local districts then have a year to implement it or lose annual increases in state aid every year until they do so – as much as $800 million in state aid and possibly another $700 million in federal money.

The reality is that his decree will be challenged in the courts, just as the New York State United Teachers successfully halted the State Education Department’s plan to double the weight of student performance on teacher evaluations. Another court fight will delay any reform and create uncertainty in every local school budget. This is no way to plan for education needs. This Cuomo Administration already knows that the best way to achieve good policy goals is by building consensus. On the question of teacher evaluations, the Governor should revert to that smart and effective strategy.

All New Yorkers and all business leaders value good teachers, but we cannot blame poor performances or inappropriate behavior by the few to tarnish the hundreds of thousands of good teachers across the state.

Yes, evaluations are necessary and appropriate management tools to drive better performances in our schools. But it is a mistake to impose by fiat the type of evaluation each school district must use. Instead, they must be worked out in a fair and honest way at the bargaining table. Negotiations were underway in New York City between the city’s Department of Education and the United Federation of Teachers, but then the city abruptly walked away from the talks. Throwing fuel on the fire, Mayor Michael Bloomberg told one city newspaper the UFT doesn’t “give a s-t” about losing state money.

Come on, Mr. Bloomberg.

The Governor should put the saber-rattling aside and develop a plan that does not drive good teachers out of their chosen profession and rob children of the learning they would get from such well-performing instructors.

Alan Lubin is Co – Chair of the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (www.Balconynewyork.com) and formerly Executive Vice President of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)

BALCONY Supports Higher New York State $10 Minimum Wage Proposal of Fiscal Policy Institute

BALCONY today (Monday) announced its support for a phased-in $10 an hour minimum wage for New York State workers as proposed by the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) in a report released today: The Case for Raising the Minimum Wage. (FULL REPORT)

“New York State needs a minimum wage that helps families who are struggling to make ends meet,” stated Alan Lubin and Robert Hayes, BALCONY co- chairs. “During the current economic upheaval it is time for our state to provide a wage floor that is realistic. Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo and Speaker Silver all agree that people cannot live on $7.25 an hour. BALCONY supports a $10 an hour phased-in minimum wage which will result in additional consumer spending that, according to FPI, will create more than 25,000 jobs.”

“This new $10 minimum wage proposal is a common sense approach which both business and labor can and should support,” concluded Lubin. He noted that more than 1.6 million New Yorkers would see their hourly wages increase to $10 an hour over three years. According to FPI, most of the workers who would be directly affected by a higher minimum wage work in retail. 88% of the workers are adults and 12% teenagers.

Mark Jaffe, President of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and a BALCONY member, has indicated that he supports a raise in the minimum wage as well.

“CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE FOR AN EFFECTIVE CONSTITUTION” LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING BI-PARTISAN REFORM COALITION THAT SEEKS TO RESTORE NEW YORK’S REPUTATION AS AN EFFECTIVE STATE GOVERNMENT

Committee, led by New Roosevelt Founder Bill Samuels, Minority Leader Brian Kolb, and Constitutional Scholar SUNY Professor Gerald Benjamin, will advance public discussion of the State Constitution and serve as non-partisan platform for how to best reform the constitution and create effective change on issues including campaign finance reform and redistricting; Announces statewide Law School scholarship essay competition focusing on constitutional issues

ALBANY, NY – New Yorkers deserve a more effective State Constitution, a more effective state government, a more effective civic process and a more effective economy.

These are the goals of a groundbreaking, bi-partisan reform coalition – “Citizens’ Committee for an Effective Constitution” (CCEC) – which launched itself online earlier today. CCEC seeks to bring together over time recognized leaders and experts from the worlds of nonprofit/good government advocacy, private sector leadership and public service, academia and scholarly research to advance serious public discussion of issues pertaining to New York’s State Constitution, state government, economy and public policy.

CCEC has one goal: Restoring New York State’s reputation as the national economic and public policy leader by discussing and debating State Constitutional provisions that have contributed to statewide dysfunction, an underperforming economy and the loss of trust by New Yorkers in their state government and the men and women serving in it.

In order to develop and advance with creative solutions to these problems, CCEC’s multi-year effort seeks to engender informed discussion, lively debate and purposeful action that transcends traditional political and ideological labels, and advance changes to the State Constitution that will produce a more democratic, responsive, and effective state government. CCEC will focus on State Constitutional change and advance a non-partisan, informed conversation on public policies.

The launch of CCEC, first reported by Associated Press Albany Capitol Editor Michael Gormley, was carried this weekend in articles and analysis for statewide print, web and broadcast media and new media outlets including the Associated Press; Niagara Gazette; Daily Gazette; Democrat and Chronicle; Post-Standard; Saratogian; LoHud.com; Journal News; Poughkeepsie Journal; Staten Island Advance; Long Island Press; News 10; Empire Page and Twitter. CCEC also was covered in select New Jersey and Vermont AP media outlets.

The Committee also aims to create a meaningful dialogue around the best methods to reform the State Constitution, whether through a Constitutional Convention or an Amendment-by-Amendment approach.

The three principals of CCEC are: Bill Samuels, Chairman of New Roosevelt and the New Roosevelt Foundation; New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua); and Dr. Gerald Benjamin, Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement and Director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) at SUNY New Paltz.

CCEC went live today with an interactive on-line platform – http://effectiveny.org – to serve as a free, 24-hour accessible informational clearinghouse for journalists, elected officials, scholars, policy advocates, citizen activists, interest groups and, most importantly, any New Yorker who wants to learn more about New York State government while affecting real and lasting change in the public arena.

Samuels, a leading good government activist and thinker in New York, said, “I have joined with Leader Kolb and Professor Benjamin, two of the state’s most thoughtful leaders on constitutional change, in this effort because we each believe that New York State should have the best and most effective state government in the nation. One of the fundamental hurdles to achieving that goal is to improve a state constitution that is outmoded and, in some cases, stands in the way of our elected leaders from doing the right thing on a particular policy issue. We want to help educate New Yorkers on how the constitution plays a role in our everyday lives and to spark a discussion on how we can best improve it.”

Leader Kolb said, “Nearly three years ago, I launched a grassroots, non-partisan effort to convene a ‘People’s Constitutional Convention’ aimed at empowering New Yorkers to make the types of fiscal and governmental changes our state government genuinely needed – changes like a State spending cap, term limits, independent redistricting, and initiative and referendum – but Albany’s broken status quo kept blocking. Today, State government has seen glimpses of reform, but New York still has miles to go before we have made good on the promise to taxpayers of a smaller, smarter, less costly and more effective government.

“I am proud to partner in this unprecedented bi-partisan reform effort with my good friend and fellow Canandaigua native Bill Samuels – one New York’s strongest and most passionate voices for good government – and Dr. Gerald Benjamin, the preeminent expert, author and scholar on New York State government and our State Constitution. The purpose of our effort is to dust off the State Constitution, advance the cause of real Constitutional change and demonstrate how such changes could make a real difference for real New Yorkers. Our goal is a more effective State Constitution that leads to more jobs, a stronger economy and true government reform so New York State can reclaim its rightful role as national leader.”

Dr. Gerald Benjamin, Director of CRREO at SUNY New Paltz said, “Almost all New Yorkers know there is a national constitution. Far fewer know there is a State Constitution. Most of us only begin to pay attention to the state constitution when an issue comes up that involves it – like gambling. We want our project to generate a broad understanding of the crucial role the State Constitution plays in how we are governed in NYS. In this time in which government reform is a front burner issue, we want to facilitate a lively, on-going debate about this core document, to remove it from the background and make it a focal point of New Yorkers’ discussion about how our state is governed, and how our government might best be redesigned to serve its people.”

As part of its educational commitment, CCEC is also sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship essay competition. The contest, managed by SUNY in direct collaboration with CCEC, is open to law students and focuses on state constitutional issues.

While any Constitutional issue can be chosen, a focus on campaign finance, redistricting or any of the topics on the home page are of special interest to CCEC. Essays selected as the strongest will be presented at a statewide conference on State Constitutional change where authors of the best will be awarded cash scholarship prizes of $1,000. To be eligible for the scholarship, essays must be between 5,000-7,500 words in length.

A panel of subject matter experts and academics will evaluate the essay submissions, and select the best papers to be presented at a daylong conference, to be held the Albany Law School in collaboration with its Local Government Law Center. Authors of essays delivered at the conference that are selected as best will not only appear on CCEC’s website, but will be eligible for an award of a $1,000 cash prize.

Dr. Benjamin, one the foremost academic authorities on the New York State Constitution, will lead an on-going discussion of constitutional issues among professors and other experts in his “Professor’s Corner.” Topics already include Casino Gambling, Constitutional Change, Convention, Elections, Ethics, Property Tax Reform and Vacancies. CCEC encourages professors and experts around the state to reach out to the Committee to participate in the discussion.

CCEC’s on-line platform features analysis of public policy issues their direct applicability and specific reference in the State Constitution. Thirty-nine policy issues are in development including the following:

• Campaign Finance Reform;
• Redistricting: Includes the subcategories “Population Deviation,” “Standards for Localities,” “Number of State Senators” and “Counting Prisoners”;
• Constitutional Change: Amendment process versus a Constitutional Convention;
• Constitutional Amendments;
• Constitutional Convention;
• Casino Gambling;
• State Budget;
• Initiative and Referendum;
• Recall of Public Officials;
• Election Administration;
• Filling of Vacancies;
• State Spending Cap;
• Unfunded Mandates; and
• Property Tax Reform

Each public policy issue section includes:

• Fast Facts, which enables the reader to get up to speed quickly on a particular policy issue and its constitutional history;
• Point/Counterpoint, which allows debate between proponents on either side of the issue on how to best address its constitutional ramifications as well as links to news articles, editorial and opinion pieces that have appeared in local media outlets and blogs across the state.
• News and Opinions Pieces covering each issue culled from newspapers and blogs across the state;
• Other States, section allowing readers to compare and contrast how other state constitutions address similar policy issues;
• Links to Relevant Legislative Amendments, that have been proposed in the New York legislature to address a particular policy issue;

More about the CCEC team

Bill Samuels, New Roosevelt Chairman

Bill Samuels, an innovative political thinker and social activist, has a lifetime of experience as a CEO, and high tech entrepreneur. Currently, Bill is managing Director of Carlyle Capital Group, the Executive Chairman of Resonant Software, a software technology company in San Francisco and the Hills Treatment Center in Los Angeles, a facility dedicated to helping people overcome addiction. http://www.newrooseveltinitiative.com/about-bill
Raised in Canandaigua, Bill’s family and political roots are deeply anchored in upstate New York. His father ran for Governor with Mario Cuomo as his Lieutenant Governor in 1974. Upon graduating MIT and Harvard Law School, Bill made the decision to engage in socially responsible businesses, turning down a job on Wall Street to start an education company dedicated to training entry-level workers who lacked the skills to get and keep a job.
Bill was one of 15 national plaintiffs in 1968 that sued the Democratic National Committee to open the Presidential Primary process. This lawsuit played a role in how the national presidential primaries have been run since 1972. In 1969, he helped start a public interest organization, Council on Economic Priorities, which made public companies’ policies on the environment, women & minority achievement, South African and tobacco concerns, labor safety and all corporate disclosure of outside financial donations and investments.
Bill was active in the movement against the Vietnam War playing a lead role in raising money to finance the 1971 Vietnam Veterans Against the War March on Washington.

After the 2000 Census, he helped finance the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of New York’s notoriously gerrymandered redistricting plan. In the 2004 Presidential campaign, many Democrats were outraged by the huge influx of “independent” money into campaigns with the “swiftboating” against John Kerry. Bill produced a documentary to set the record straight, “Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry.”

As a result of the vast fortunes sunk into empty television advertising by national political campaigns Bill saw both party identification and voting plunge. In an effort to stem the tide and reinvigorate the Democratic Party Bill founded the Blue Tiger Democrats in 2004 as an innovative grassroots research organization in Michigan and New York that studied how to use civic engagement to reconnect the Democratic Party to its communities between election cycles. In June of 2006, Blue Tiger Democrats published an illustrated history of party politics with a focus on campaign finance, particularly how the anti-war and civil rights activism that opened the political party systems to the voters had the unintended consequences of empowering money.

In the 2008 elections, Bill served as Finance Chairman for the New York Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, leading to Democrats gaining control of the State Senate for the first time in decades. In this role, Bill saw up close the corrosive influence of special interest money on elections.

Recognizing the kind of fundamental structural change that is needed, Bill launched the New Roosevelt, a multi-year campaign to achieve change around “Five Pillars of Reform” including a focus on New York’s campaign finance rules: highlighting the need for public financing, lowered contribution limits with closure of loopholes that have otherwise rendered them useless, and improved enforcement, so that our State Legislature can regain the integrity, functionality and common sense the voters are demanding.

New Roosevelt built from scratch a field organization totally devoted to Albany reform. An office was opened in the Bronx and New Roosevelts executed a targeted field operation that ousted disgraced Democratic State Senator Pedro Espada.

Bill joined the 99% as a leading voice fighting the repeal of the millionaire’s tax in favor of an overhaul of the New York’s existing tax structure for one that is progressive where all New Yorkers can pay their fair share in order to support the infrastructure that business needs to thrive and grow local jobs. Bill remains focused on making the New York a leading state on key issues like campaign finance so that it can once again serve as a national example.

Bill is one of 10 children — eight sisters and one brother — and is married to Marie Samuels and has a 15-year-old daughter, Kitty. Common Cause recently recognized Bill honoring him with the Democracy in Action Award for outstanding commitment to government accountability.

Brian Kolb, New York State Assembly Minority Leader

Brian Kolb was first elected to represent New York State’s 129th Assembly District when a special election was held in February 2000 and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. On April 6, 2009, he was unanimously elected Minority Leader by his colleagues. Assemblyman Kolb’s district includes Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Ontario, and Seneca Counties.

Brian’s legislative priorities include reducing taxes, improving the quality of education, fostering job creation, providing sound health care and reforming state government. He is dedicated to ensuring that residents and businesses throughout the district receive effective, responsive constituent service and timely assistance with state government inquiries. Brian’s principal goal is to be easily accessible and approachable to the people he represents. In a short time, he has gained a reputation for hard work, producing results and being very active in his district with a down-to-earth, straight-talking approach.

Assemblyman Kolb possesses a wealth of valuable private sector experience acquired as a business consultant, entrepreneur and chief operating officer of a variety of small and large technology based businesses. He is the former president of Refractron Technologies and a co-founder of the North American Filter Corporation.

Brian has demonstrated a strong commitment to education throughout both his personal life and his professional career. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Adult and Graduate Education at Roberts Wesleyan College, where his students have twice selected him Outstanding Faculty Member. He is a former Chairman of the Finger Lakes Community College Foundation and is a former member of the Honeoye Central School Board and the Finger Lakes Community College Board of Trustees. Brian earned high honors while completing his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science Degrees at Roberts Wesleyan College.

Community involvement and public service have been hallmarks of Assemblyman Kolb’s background. He is currently a member of the Honeoye Chapter of the Sons of the American Legion, Ontario Charities Classic Board of Directors, member of the Ontario ARC Advisory Board, Honorary Board Member of Finger Lakes HealthQuest Foundation, a member of Merrill Hose Fire Company in Canandaigua, a member of the New York Farm Bureau, and is a Notary Public.

Brian previously served as Supervisor for the Town of Richmond, Chairman of Leadership Rochester’s Board of Directors, and as a member of the Ontario County Revolving Loan Fund Committee, the Ontario County Board of Supervisors and the New York State Public Authorities Control Board.

Mr. Kolb is a member of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the Heartland Institute’s Board of Legislative Advisors, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Shooters’ Committee On Political Education (SCOPE), the American Irish Legislators Society and the Knights of Columbus.

Brian lives in Canandaigua with his wife Lauren and has three grown children, sons Britton and Clayton, daughter Kylie, and one grandson, Everett.

Dr. Gerald Benjamin, Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement and Director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) at SUNY New Paltz

Gerald Benjamin joined the faculty at SUNY New Paltz in 1968 as an Assistant Professor of Political Science. He achieved the University’s highest rank in 2002 when he was appointed Distinguished Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees. He has served as Chair of the Department of Political Science, Presiding Officer of the faculty and (for twelve years beginning in 1996) Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Today, Benjamin is Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement and Director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) at SUNY New Paltz. CRREO is the principal locus of the college’s efforts to raise its level of engagement within communities, governments, not-for-profits and businesses across the Hudson Valley. It seeks to conduct research on regional topics; encourage faculty to build regionally based service activity into their scholarship and teaching; create and direct institutes and programs to meet regional needs; and offer conferences and programs on matters of regional interest.

Benjamin was director of the Center for the New York State and Local Government Studies at SUNY’s Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany (1993-1995). Later he was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo as Research Director of the Temporary State Commission on Constitutional Revision. He also was Principal Research Advisor to the New York City Charter Revision Commission that brought about extensive structural changes in that city’s government.

Between 2004 and 2006, Benjamin chaired the Ulster County Charter Commission. The work of this commission resulted in approval at the polls of the county’s first charter, which goes into effect in January of 2009. In 2007, Benjamin was appointed by Governor Spitzer to the State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness that this past April proposed wide-reaching reforms in local government in New York State.

Between 1981 and 1993, Gerald Benjamin was an elected member of the Ulster County legislature. He served in legislative leadership as both Majority Leader (1985-91) and Chairman (1991-93). Ulster County during this time had no elected executive; the legislative chairman was therefore the County’s Chief Elected Officer. Ulster County during Dr. Benjamin’s tenure had a budget of $165 million and more than 1,300 employees.
Benjamin earned a B.A. with distinction from St. Lawrence University. His Masters (1967) and Doctoral (1970) degrees in Political Science are from Columbia University.

More about the Citizens’ Committee for an Effective Constitution (CCEC)

The Citizens’ Committee for an Effective Constitution is a project of the New Roosevelt Foundation, Inc., a New York State Not-for-Profit, founded by Bill Samuels, that has filed for 501(c)(3) status.

Public Pensions Are Not the Enemy by NYAFL-CIO President Mario Cilento

Public pensions are not the enemy
So why does Gov. Cuomo’s plan vilify middle class retirement security?

By Mario Cilento / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Wednesday, January 25 2012, 4:24 AM

We hear all the time about exorbitant public-sector pensions, which leads many to believe mistakenly that retired nurses, firefighters, teachers and others are wealthy. We don’t hear that the average benefit for a member in the largest plan in New York — the New York State and Local Retirement System — is $19,000 a year, or that 76% of these pensions are less than $30,000 a year.

There is no doubt that state and local governments face difficult budgetary decisions, which has fairly brought all spending under greater scrutiny. But some corporations and their messengers have tried to capitalize on the pressure created by the short-term economic crisis to advocate for the permanent decimation of benefits in the public sector. They seek to complete the rollback of pensions and the shift to insufficient 401(k)s that has already taken place in the private sector — driving a stake in the heart of the defined benefit pension as we know it.

This is audacious, considering that corporate greed and misconduct caused the collapse of the economy, the budget crisis and billions in pension losses in the first place.

Now, even though it will not produce any savings to help address the current budget deficit, Gov. Cuomo’s executive budget includes a new pension tier with an “optional” 401(k).

In reality, there is no option in this plan, as the new tier would obliterate the defined benefit plan, slashing payouts and making employee contributions unaffordable. The new defined benefit “option” would require employees to work longer, pay up to double in base employee contributions and pay even more if the stock market declines — all to get less in their pension. What sense does that make?

The 90 years that the state has been providing pension benefits demonstrate that the system works. Pensions are long-term vehicles that should not be overhauled with every change in the political wind.

It’s not as though public employee unions are resisting any and all change. They did their part and agreed to a new pension tier just two years ago that is projected to save $35 billion over 30 years. This is on top of wage freezes, furloughs, increased health contributions and layoffs.

But where they draw the line — as well they should — is in eviscerating retirement security entirely.

Far too many workers have learned the hard way that a 401(k) is not the answer to long-term economic security. Such retirement plans place all the risk on the shoulders of workers. If Wall Street collapses when they retire, they’re simply out of luck.

There’s another problem: cost. I don’t doubt the ability of working men and women to decide how to successfully invest their retirement savings — provided they can afford professional assistance. They’ll have to add that burden to the cost of rent, utilities and prescriptions.

A financially secure retirement is slipping away from the American worker. According to the National Retirement Risk Index, a project of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, more than half of American workers are at risk of not being able to maintain their standard of living in retirement. This retirement insecurity comes at a time when the number of people with pensions has declined, particularly in the private sector, with 401(k)s becoming many workers’ sole retirement savings vehicle.

Yet, although data from multiple sources indicate that 401(k)s are inadequate, their stranglehold continues in the private sector — and that dominance is used as the rationale for reducing public-sector pensions. It’s a race to the bottom that’s inappropriate and unconscionable.

Cilento is president of the New York State AFL-CIO, the largest state labor movement in the country, representing 2.5 million workers in 3,000 union affiliates throughout the state.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/public-pensions-enemy-article-1.1011290#ixzz1kV7jn7pL

BALCONY Members Comment on Gov. Cuomo’s 2012-2013 NYS Budget

CSEA President Danny Donohue:

“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.”

NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi and Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta:

New York State United Teachers today welcomed that Gov. Andrew Cuomo honored his commitment to boost education funding, but said this would still leave students with less state support than they need.

NYSUT also said the governor’s plan to tie proposed school aid increases to agreements on a teacher and principal evaluation system, as well as competitive grants, is problematic and would create an uncertainty that districts cannot afford.

NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi said that while the union “shares the governor’s frustration over delays in implementing the evaluation law and many of his points about the education bureaucracy at SED, we think there are better ways to achieve implementation rather than tying it to funding increases that benefit students.”

Iannuzzi pointed to frustration also shown by districts and local teachers unions that have been hampered by the State Education Department’s failure to develop a model to measure student growth; a working data system; and the Department’s appeal of a state Supreme Court’s ruling validating the existing law.

Iannuzzi added, “After the court decision, NYSUT gave the State Education Department a proposed settlement that meets the department’s needs, and would immediately jumpstart the process in many school districts. There has been no response. We welcome the governor’s leadership in helping to implement what he characterized as a ‘real teacher evaluation’ law by moving to settle the lawsuit, break the logjam and move implementation of the teacher evaluation law forward.”

NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said the budget’s proposed Tier VI “would endanger the current workforce, as well as the pensions of retired public employees, by diverting or reducing contributions to state retirement funds.” He noted that, just two years ago, unions worked collaboratively to deliver $35 billion in savings to taxpayers by agreeing to a new Tier V. “Enough is enough,” Pallotta said. “Current and future public employees – just like all workers in the private sector – should have a measure of retirement security. This plan does the opposite.”

Pallotta said the proposed budget also falls far short of what SUNY, CUNY and community colleges need. He said funding increases for public hospitals, colleges and universities — the economic lifeblood of communities likes Syracuse, Oswego, Cortland, Oneonta and Plattsburgh – must be a budget priority. “We agree with the governor that the answer is jobs, jobs, jobs. Our question is: Why don’t we start with a greater investment in our public hospitals and higher education systems?” Pallotta said.

Pallotta pledged to work collaboratively with the governor and lawmakers to build on the positive elements in the proposed budget and to correct those that would shortchange students from pre-kindergarten all the way to the post-graduate level. “A new year brings a new opportunity for NYSUT and the Assembly, Senate and Governor’s Office to work together in a positive way to improve education and enhance learning opportunities for all our students,” he said.

PEF President Ken Brynien:

It is time for our state’s elected leaders to recognize that nothing gets done without workers: trained,
competent, professional workers. The governor’s proposed budget ignores the fact that state workers have done their
share to address the state’s fiscal problems.

Since 2008, the state’s workforce has been reduced by 16,000 jobs. The state pension plan was changed in 2010 to create
a new Tier 5 that will save state and local governments $35 billion over the next 30 years. In 2011, PEF agreed to a
labor contract that freezes pay, requires workers to pay more for health insurance and cuts salaries through furloughs.
This contract will save the state more than $230 million over the next four years.

The governor’s proposal calls for another new pension tier that will do little, if anything, to affect the 2012-13 state
budget. The Tier 6 proposal is nothing more than a false choice of accepting severely reduced pension benefits or joining
an inefficient 401k style pension system. It would force public employees into a pension gamble that virtually guarantees
a lower level of benefits. This proposal is similar to the misguided proposals for reforming Social Security proposed by
former President George W. Bush.

Our members earned their pensions, which are reasonable. The average state pension is $19,000 per year. The current
increases in pension costs don’t result from increased pension benefits. They were caused by the collapse of the stock
market.

Initiatives proposed in this budget will increase the privatization of key state services in agencies that serve youths and
people with disabilities. The governor has also proposed “reforms” to the Civil Service system that will make it easier to
appoint politically connected individuals by making who you know a more important factor in hiring than what you
know.

While the overall size of the state workforce remains relatively unchanged in the budget, many state agencies remain
severely short-staffed. This hinders the ability of agencies to perform their statutorily mandated mission which can only
lead to wasteful and costly contracting out of state services as agencies struggle to meet their statutory mandates. For
example the Department of Transportation has already lost 1,900 employees since 2000 including more than 900
engineers. They will lose another 91 employees this year including 62 engineers. During this time period DOT has
increased its spending on consultant engineers even though they cost between 50 percent to 75 percent more than state
employees. In the last year alone, DOT has increased its spending on consultant engineers by 22 percent.
We support a different approach to budgeting. Respect the professionalism of the state workforce and we can work
together to get the job done.

STATEMENT ON THE 2012-1013 NYS BUDGET: Alan Lubin co-chair of the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, BALCONY

STATEMENT ON THE 2012-1013 NYS BUDGET
by: Alan Lubin, co-chair of the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, BALCONY

The Cuomo administration’s 2012-2013 budget message is a positive step that can create jobs, rebuild New York’s infrastructure, rejuvenate our convention business and revive the City of Buffalo.

The administration’s desire to create a Tier VI pension system for public employees is misguided and premature since the state created a Tier V in the past two years.

We believe a fair teacher evaluation program can be worked out within the governor’s time-frame if City and State officials come to the table seeking a honest solution.

We need further details on the administration’s desire to consolidate state agencies and programs, and the resulting impact on the delivery of services to the residents of our state. Finally BALCONY supports the Governor’s creation of the New York State Insurance Health Care Exchange as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

CSEA Unhappy With Prison Call Center

Posted on January 11, 2012 at 2:48 pm by Rick Karlin, Capitol bureau

New York’s Dept of Motor Vehicles earlier this week announced it had expanded its prison call center to the Greene County Correctional Facility.

While state officials touted the savings that come with having inmates handle information requests to the DMV, the union that represents some non-imprisoned call-takers who are presumably competing with the prisoners.

(The inmate program isn’t really new — what the Dept. of Corrections and Community Supervision did was move the call center from the now-closed Arthur Kill prison in New York City to Greene Co. There has also been a call center at the Bedford Hills prison for women).

Here is the response from Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue:
“While not a new program, using prisoners to do the work of Department of Motor
Vehicle employees is a bad idea generally and even worse considering the current economy.
At a time when thousands of New York families are struggling to find jobs and pay their bills,
New York State has decided to help prisoners develop “marketable skills” rather than make
appropriate and necessary jobs available to law abiding citizens who would then pay their
taxes, spend their paychecks and contribute in the local community. CSEA can only remain
skeptical about claims of taxpayer savings from this scheme when security and close
supervision costs are considered.”

“It’s another swipe at public employees by equating the work of hard working, responsible and
dedicated employees with incarcerated criminals in the public’s mind.”

And the release from DMV and the Dept. of Corrections and Community Supervision Can be viewed HERE.

BALCONY Members Comment on Gov. Cuomo’s 2012 State of the State

PEF President Ken Brynien:

“We agree with many items in the governor’s State of the State speech, but there are other points with which we do not agree.”

“We take exception to the governor targeting public-sector pensions and his proposal for a new retirement tier. The ability to attract good workers will be important if the governor seeks to pursue his ambitious agenda. The governor’s proposal for a new pension tier is like eating your seed corn. It may help you get by now, but you will starve later.”

“The governor stated that now is not the time to be squandering resources, we couldn’t agree more. The best ways to achieve efficiencies would be to reduce the number of unaccountable public authorities by merging them into state agencies. In addition, we need to eliminate the multiple layers of political patronage appointments that currently exist in virtually all state agencies and authorities. Finally, we need to reduce the use of high cost consultants and contractors that do work public employees can do better and for less.”

“If this is what the governor means by re-imagining state government, this is a framework we can work within.”

UFT President Michael Mulgrew:

“A bipartisan state commission on education is a very promising idea. Rather than do what New York City now does, which is to set its educational policy by a political agenda, the commission could look at the research about what really works in schools. The commission could also shine on management inefficiencies, like the fact that the New York City Department of Education promised to use three-quarters of a billion dollars in state money to reduce class size — and then let class sizes go up every year.”

CSEA President Danny Donohue:

“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.

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.”

NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi:

“As long-time advocates for our students, we would welcome the governor to work shoulder to shoulder with us in ensuring all children receive a quality public education. Teachers, in partnership with parents, have always been lobbyists for what children need. That historic advocacy has resulted in smaller class sizes, better technology, high standards for teacher effectiveness, anti-bullying legislation and hot lunches for children in poverty. Gov. Cuomo’s advocacy would be invaluable in jump-starting the current state bureaucracy, which certainly has been frustrating to teachers as we work to achieve meaningful change.

We applaud the governor for emphasizing the need to make sure no child goes hungry. As teachers we know that ending the achievement gap is a shared responsibility, and combating hunger is an important piece in making sure children are ready to learn.

Regarding the governor’s proposed commission, we don’t know enough about its mission or composition, so we don’t know whether to be anxious or excited, but we look forward to working with the commission to effect positive change.

We have a sound law for teacher evaluations in place, but we share the governor’s frustration when it comes to implementation. Teachers and administrators in local school districts are working hard to implement the evaluation law, but SED Commissioner King used intimidation tactics to derail what has been significant progress by dictatorially yanking much needed federal support from some of our struggling schools. We look to the governor to jump-start that progress once again in an inclusive approach.”

Final Report on Mandate Relief

Originally posted on December 26, 2011 by Jimmy Vielkind

Jim Odato devoted his column this morning to the final report of the Mandate Relief Redesign Team, which issued its 70-page document, it seems, without all of the team members even knowing it was coming out.

Business and local government groups, in part bubbling through the regional economic development councils, will be making a major push on the subject this year. Lawmakers enacted a property tax cap last year without a corresponding mandate relief package, and it’s thought to be at the top of the list come January.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORT

Democrats May Say No Dice to New York Casinos, Sheldon Silver Warns

Democrats may say no dice to New York casinos, Sheldon Silver warns
Assembly Speaker supports idea, but can’t guarantee bill will fly with Dems

BY Kenneth Lovett

ALBANY — The push to legalize casinos in New York is no sure bet to pass in the Assembly, the Daily News has learned.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) supports the idea, but he told the Daily News on Monday that he can’t guarantee such a bill would fly with his Democratic conference, which holds a majority in the chamber.

“I just don’t know,” Silver said.

Gov. Cuomo has said he will call on the Legislature in 2012 to make the first of two needed approvals of a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling, which would then require a referendum, no earlier than 2013, before it becomes law.

“The last time it came up in the late 1990s, it was a close vote in the conference,” Silver recalled.

In particular, the speaker said he does not know if there is support in his New York City-dominated conference for a casino specifically within the five boroughs.

The News reported in Monday’s editions that Cuomo opposes a casino in densely populated parts of the city, but is open to one at a place like Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, which already has a virtual casino. Silver’s views are the same on both points.

But much has changed since the Legislature took up the issue in the 1990s, Silver acknowledged.

Not only is the deficit-plagued state desperately in need of new revenue and job creation, but casinos have sprouted up in surrounding states and even on Indian reservations within New York.

“There may be an attitude of ‘Let’s take some of the revenue and keep it [at\] home,’” Silver said.

In addition, there are now nine virtual casinos at New York racetracks, including at Aqueduct, and their existence may help generate support for full-blown casinos.

Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos, of Nassau County, has said he supports a constitutional amendment to legalize casinos. But a Skelos spokesman said Monday that the chamber has not taken a position on where casinos should be located.

Assemblyman Karim Camara, a Brooklyn Democrat who chairs the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, says the group has not taken an official position on casinos. But while Camara opposes the idea of casinos in areas with high concentrations of poverty, he is open to legalizing them at existing racetrack “racinos” like Aqueduct.

Silver and Skelos recently promised Cuomo that they would pursue within their respective chambers the first of two needed legislative votes on the constitutional amendment.

Some insiders took that to mean the approvals would be automatic. But Silver and Cuomo both told The News that the speaker promised the governor he would raise the issue with his members, but couldn’t ensure the measure would meet with success.

Cuomo wants the constitutional amendment to legalize casinos in the state, but not necessarily spell out how many casinos would be allowed or where they would be located. Those matters would be decided later on by the governor and Legislature before the needed public referendum.

Silver said it is possible that his members will want the constitutional amendment to be more specifically defined than the one Cuomo has talked about.

klovett@nydailynews.com