CSEA Slams Gov. Cuomo, State Legislative Leaders for Putting Politics Before People

ALBANY, NY (03/15/2012)(readMedia)-- CSEA President Danny Donohue slammed Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state legislative leadership, Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats for, a politically expedient deal that trades the future retirement security of working New Yorkers for legislative redistricting lines.

"Tier 6 shoved down the throat of state legislators fixated on their own self-preservation, will be devastating to 99 percent of New Yorkers," Donohue said. "This deal is about politicians standing with the 1 percent – the wealthiest New Yorkers – to give them a better break while telling nurses, bus drivers, teachers, secretaries, and laborers to put up and shut up."

Last December, Cuomo pushed for a tax break for the wealthiest New Yorkers that exceeds the pensions of most working people.

There are no immediate savings from the Cuomo Tier 6 plan. Potential savings over decades will only come at the expense of working people. While hard-pressed localities will see no relief in the short term from Tier 6, they will be affected by loss of state services, downsizing and consolidation of vital facilities, along with other aid reductions and a further erosion of their middle class as workers get squeezed or have their jobs eliminated. CSEA pointed out that facts had little bearing on the governor's agenda.

Donohue criticized the governor's scorched earth pursuit of his political ambition for giving new meaning to the term "bully pulpit."

"Regardless of the governor's glib talking points, New Yorkers should understand that this deal did not result from meaningful debate and good judgment – it resulted from political expediency – and it will have harmful consequences to people and communities now and for a long time to come," Donohue said. "No good will come from this."