PEF President to testify about state plans for mental health, developmental disabilities

BINGHAMTON (09/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Susan Kent, president of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) will testify before an Assembly Standing Committee on the union's concerns and solutions about the governor's plans for the state Office of Mental Health and Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

The hearing will take place Friday, September 13 at 11 a.m. at Binghamton City Hall, City Council Chambers.

PEF's priorities include:

Opposing reductions in vital state services to vulnerable New Yorkers;

Opposing privatization of state-provided services as it lowers the quality of those services;

Opposing the reduction of qualified state staff who are professionally trained to provide services;

Ensuring the continuity of employment of PEF members with no geographic hardship;

Opposing loss of state-operated services, shifting the economic responsibility to already economically-distressed communities through New York state.