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Today's Poll: Do you support Gov. Paterson's plan for state worker furloughs?

By Howard B. Owens
John Roach

His plan will cut state employees pay by 20%. I would think more of the plan if he also did the same for his pay and that of his staff, which he has refused to consider.

May 5, 2010, 7:49am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I agree with you John, it's hard to support someone losing a day a week, when it only applies to the executive branch workers. I know many things need to be cut. Where's the pain sharing by the legislative branch and the Gov.'s staff? To be fair Paterson actually cut his paycheck 10%.

BTW check out this guy: http://wredlich.com/ny/

May 5, 2010, 8:32am Permalink
Karen Miconi

Finally Someone Who Gets It.. Thanks for the Link Dave. I never knew this guy existed. We need to push to get this guy on board with the taxpayers of NYS. He's what this state needs. A Mover and a Shaker.
P.S. Sorry the video ran over to far to the right.

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May 5, 2010, 9:11am Permalink
JoAnne Rock

This reminds me of the 1995 federal government shut down.

I was a federal employee at that time, but I wasn't one of the lucky ones to be furloughed. All of the furloughed employees ended up getting paid for their time off and it didn't have to come off of their vacation time. It ended up costing the government money instead of saving money.

The question of the legality of furloughs is already being raised:

"I don't think furloughs are legal," said Assemblyman Alan Maisel, a Brooklyn Democrat.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who writes the state's paychecks, acknowledges there may be a dispute over the legality of furloughs.

If they go through with the furloughs, then they need to make 100% certain that the furloughs remain unpaid. Otherwise it will just cost the state more money down the road when they have to pay all the employees for their furloughed time.

May 5, 2010, 10:10am Permalink
John Roach

It is not really a matter of the furloughs being "legal", it's contractual.

The contracts say that the State can not changed the number of hours to be worked (up or down) without both parties agreeing in negotiations. That's the issue since the unions have not agreed.

Odds are a court will find the State violated the contracts and end up paying out more than they might save.

May 5, 2010, 10:30am Permalink
Mike Weaver

How ridiculous.

Furloughs had better be addressed in the next CSEA contract.

Who is the knucklehead that is negotiating these things for the state gov't? Have they not done labor negotiations in the past?

May 5, 2010, 10:34am Permalink
JoAnne Rock

John, I believe that was the exact issue that was raised in 1995 resulting in furloughed employees eventually being paid.

Thanks for bringing up that important point.

May 5, 2010, 10:57am Permalink
Dave Olsen

It's not the regular rank and file workers that are the problem. It's the union leaders, lobbyists and smarmy politicians that keep this cycle alive. Most middle-class workers are happy to have jobs and realize the situation of the economy (at least in my impression). The lobbyists and people at the tops of the unions along with the political appointed managers and directors are making the big bucks and can only justify it if they claim to look out for the members by greasing the campaign fund palms of our wonderful representatives who then won't entertain cuts. Unfortunately, the whole bloated mess of NY Government is not sustainable any more and something has got to give. Here's a little more reading for anyone who's interested:
http://www.albanyinc.com/index.html

May 5, 2010, 11:33am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Keep in mind: when employees are let go, someone has to pay their unemployment benefit. The practical question, "Which is more beneficial to taxpayers? ...Funding a laid-off worker's new job hunt or continued productive employment?"

May 5, 2010, 11:59am Permalink
JoAnne Rock

I would have to disagree C.M.

If a public service is deemed to be non-essential, then so to would be the employee that performs it.

That was the basis used for determining which employees would be affected by the 1995 federal government furlough.

May 5, 2010, 12:17pm Permalink

I would love to know what everyone that said no thinks we should do? I don't like the thought of anyone losing money, but there are millions of private sector employees who have been unemployed for some time now.

I'm just curious why it's ok for the private sector to have lay offs or utilize short week programs, but not Unions? Please don't answer that it's not the workers fault either. It wasn't the workers fault in the private sectors that the economy went bad, but that's what happens.

I am sick of everyone having a reason not to cut something. This state is the biggest joke.

May 5, 2010, 12:32pm Permalink
Richard Gahagan

From the link Dave Olson provided its obvious what needs to be done. Cut services, eliminate government jobs, change laws protecting public employee wages and benfits then reduce taxes. "New York’s exorbitant spending and heaviest-in-the-nation taxes prop up one of the largest and costliest public payrolls in the U.S. New York ranked eighth in state and local government jobs per capita, 14 percent above the national average.Labor Department figures show that, for every 1,000 residents, New York has 71 state and local government employees, compared with California’s 61. With about 6.5 percent of the nation’s population, New York employs about 7.5 percent of the nation’s government workers—who together are paid 9 percent of the nation’s total spending on government payrolls.[131] All told, 70 percent of New York’s government workers are unionized—the most in the nation."

In essence New York could be considered a small socialist country.

May 5, 2010, 12:48pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Holy Pork !! $680,000 a year, for 1 employee to run the NYC Library?? I think there's a Pig Roast, and who's been Fittin the Bill? The NYS Taxpayers. To all the Rediculiously High Payed Government Employees, you've ran your racket long enough! Your time is running short. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Im afraid, to how deep this Pork Spending, and high wages free-for-all really goes...

May 5, 2010, 1:05pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

To answer your question C.M.:

"Which is more beneficial to taxpayers? ...Funding a laid-off worker's new job hunt or continued productive employment?"

You left out the best answer. Lower taxes so more entrepreuners would be encouraged to start small businesses that would create private sector jobs that would provide continued productive employment to displaced workers.

Continued employment in the bloated public sector is not productive, it is wasteful and expensive.

May 5, 2010, 1:01pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

Phil: I voted undecided because I am not convinced that the furloughed employees will not be paid anyway, thereby costing the state more money.

If they can furlough the employees and guarantee that they will not be paid down the line, I would support the plan because it would save money. I just don't think the unions would allow this to happen.

May 5, 2010, 1:20pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Phil: You have to chop off the snake's head to kill it. I'd cap every public employee's pay at 100k per year, we should test the claim that certain positions can't be filled by anyone competent for less. I'm thinkin' that alot of very competent people could do many public sector jobs very well and be happy with 99,000 bucks a year. Also, how about we stop paying the per diem to the legislature members until they reach a budget agreement, if we can (they're probably protected by law) let's withhold 20% of THEIR paychecks until a budget is passed. Demand that every legislator and the Governor, LT Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, heads of the Authorities all reduce their staff by 25% and cut pay of the 75% left by 20%. That may not be enough to close the gap, but it's a damn good start.

May 5, 2010, 1:20pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

I like the idea of pay caps Dave and your number seems damned reasonable. I also like the idea of cutting the per-diem until a budget is passed. New York needs a budget now and if the Legislature is unwilling to give us one, then they should be the ones suffering. Make them send their staff home, stop paying them for perks and put them to work.

Barely any of them do their own jobs anyway; I'd hazard a guess that a solid chunk of our elected officials don't even understand the budget process, that's what the staffers are paid for right? Show me a roomful of New York politicians of any stripe and I'd bet you that three out of ten are just glad-handing nincompoops, happy to collect a (relatively) fat paycheck simply for showing up a few days a week.

This year, maybe we should look for a more intelligent, more courageous brand of human being to send to Albany. Preferably someone who understands the process, but hasn't been in politics before. The only way we're ever going to get fresh ideas out of that place is to send in some fresh faces.

May 5, 2010, 1:51pm Permalink

Posted by Chris Charvella on May 5, 2010 - 1:51pm
I'd bet you that three out of ten are just glad-handing nincompoops, happy to collect a (relatively) fat paycheck simply for showing up a few days a week.

I think your low balling it, Chris. :-)

May 5, 2010, 1:57pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Go to the top of this thread, see Warren Redlich (The pay caps are his idea) Somebody, say Phil Ricci for instance, could be a very good independent or Libertarian candidate for the local Assembly seat. I would actually volunteer to help you, collect the signatures to get on the ballot, put up signs etc. You have no idea how out of character it is for me to offer that. C'mon Phil

May 5, 2010, 2:14pm Permalink
John Roach

Chris,
Try to find somebody to run Attica Prison for that much, or to head the State Police. It sounds good and makes people feel good to say that about pay caps, but that's all it is, feel good.

Do you support pay caps for local school teachers? What would you cap a BHS teacher at? What should a Batavia Police Officer be caped at?

I have no problem with pay caps for elected officials, but not the professionals.

May 5, 2010, 2:15pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Jesus, John, now I sound like you and you sound like me... I know it's Cinco de Mayo, but I haven't even had a margarita yet, what's your excuse :)

May 5, 2010, 2:23pm Permalink
Mike Weaver

Chris,

Good luck finding someone intelligent, courageous, understands the process, and hasn't been in politics before who would be willing to wade into that stink hole of a situation.

An honest, incorruptible person hasn't got a chance of getting the support they need to get anything done, and they know it.

May 5, 2010, 2:24pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

John; I know you posed your question to Chris, but my 2 cents: I say let's do just that, try to find someone to run Attica for under 100k, State Police too. Teachers, Police etc, etc, etc; cap is 100k per year. Are there BHS teachers (not administrators) making that much? Police officers? I don't think they are the problem. What's so hard about a cap across the board? If they think they can do better in the private sector, then they should be welcome to do so.

May 5, 2010, 2:31pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Tell you what Mike, if I find someone, honest, intelligent and courageous who can prove to you that he/she understands the process, has the guts to make tough decisions and has never been in politics before, will you offer your support?

May 5, 2010, 2:35pm Permalink
John Roach

Dave,
My point was not that everyone would be paid $99,000. But if the top person is at that rate, then you have to prorate the cap down to the bottom.

At the local level, how much do you think a Police Officer should be paid? How much should a prison guard be paid? What is the most a teacher at BHS should be allowed to make. That's a timely question since the school budget will come up for a vote soon(let Phil answer since he was a school budget ambassador).

The problem with pay is not the line staff. It is the unneeded staff people. Things like the "Assistant Deputy Commissioner for ..." etc. Or even unneeded agencies like the Thruway Authority that should be taken over by the Department of Transportation.

Poor business practices like not paying state bills on time to get a payment discount, and then paying late fees. Those people should be fired.

May 5, 2010, 3:20pm Permalink
Mike Weaver

Chris,

Depends on what sort of "support" you are talking about. (how is that for non-committment)

My point is, even if that individual gets elected, they will be so handcuffed by a lack of other politicians support that they would not be able to get anything of substance accomplished. And then during the next election cycle you can bet that money would come rolling in to fund a "more typical" politician to unseat him/her.

May 5, 2010, 3:30pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

John; I agree with you regarding the poor business practices and shoddy accounting that goes on. Fire those clowns. Getting rid of redundant agencies and all the deputy director and etc jobs too, we're on the same page. I'm not concerned with pro-rating salary caps, personally. If a person can't be grown up enough to not be upset that a subordinate makes the same income, do we want to keep them as our managers? Once again, if they don't like it and think they can do better elsewhere.............

May 5, 2010, 4:08pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

One of the first things NY needs to do is dissolve most of the 'authorities' and absorb them into relevant departments. There are...billions...yes billions of dollars of unaccounted for money floating around the NYS government and most folks in the know agree that all of the different authorities are a major part of that problem

May 5, 2010, 4:11pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I think, John, that we can agree the furloughs are a bad idea and there are many other ways the state government could get the financial house in order. Unfortunately the legislature has fiddled while Rome burns, and now even if it's going to come back and bite us in the rear, there isn't much else to do, if there isn't a budget in place by the end of May, the state is officially broke, then what? This is all the more reason for a radical shake-up in Albany. I will leave you with a song, complete with a 15 year old lead guitarist.

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May 5, 2010, 8:10pm Permalink

John,

Not sure what the cap is for a teacher, but minus administrators, I doubt that you will find a single teacher near that 100k cap.

As far as what they should make? I don't know what would be a fair cap to be honest, but I have no problem limiting administrators.

May 5, 2010, 10:31pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Does this mean that Phil is throwing his hat in the ring for assembly? Is Dave taking on the job of running Phil's campaign?
Wow, this is a scoop. You heard it here first.

May 5, 2010, 11:09pm Permalink
John Roach

Phil,

That's my point. You said ALL employees should be caped. Since it unrealistic to think that the teacher will get the same pay as a school principle, then I wanted to know what you would pay a teacher. And since you have been in on the school budget process, I would have thought you would know.

I believe the BOCES head makes more than 100K, so you are demanding a pay cut there, right? Any idea what the Batavia School district head makes?

May 6, 2010, 6:45am Permalink
John Roach

Posted by Phil Ricci on May 5, 2010 - 2:54pm
"LOL Let's do it, Dave!"

I take that as supporting you, and that's ok. But, lets give Phil the benefit of a doubt on wanting all school employees caped, just administrators. There are 4 administrators making over 100k in Batavia City Schools.

Phil,
Should we vote against the upcoming School budget until the four have their pay cut to 99K?

May 6, 2010, 7:28am Permalink
Jeff Allen

http://seethroughny.net will answer all your questions as to who makes what. Click on the "Payrolls" button then the link for "Schools", choose your school district and you will get a complete list of all salaries. Click on the YTDPay header and the list will re-sort from highest to lowest salaries.

May 6, 2010, 7:48am Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Chris Charvella on May 5, 2010 - 1:51pm

This year, maybe we should look for a more intelligent, more courageous brand of human being to send to Albany. Preferably someone who understands the process, but hasn't been in politics before. The only way we're ever going to get fresh ideas out of that place is to send in some fresh faces.

While some may naysay the possibility of finding a "non" politician to send to Albany, I believe someone with common sense, intelligence, and ability to communicate well with the constituents would have a chance to make a difference.

May 6, 2010, 9:51am Permalink

Wow my name has been said a lot here....

John,

First, Bea is right I was responding to something Dave said. I didn't say the other.

Second, If you're asking me should their be a cap, then yes. What I was saying is that I don't know of any local teachers that are close to that 100K mark that was discussed.

Bea,

That was a very flatering statement by Dave, but as to its seriousness I have not even thought about it. :-)

May 6, 2010, 11:02am Permalink

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