Statement by PEF President Ken Brynien on Gov. Paterson's deficit reduction plan

ALBANY, NY (10/06/2009)(readMedia)-- "The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is encouraged that the governor realizes there is savings to be had by reducing the state's reliance on costly private consultants as a way to close a $2.1 billion budget deficit in the current fiscal year," said PEF President Ken Brynien.

"The state can achieve much of the $500 million in current-year agency spending reductions simply by setting specific agency targets to cut the use of consultant contractors.

"We welcome the call for flexibility in the governors efforts to broaden the severance buyout and voluntary work reduction schedule programs.

"We will continue to press for additional cuts in consultant services and will work with the governor and offer further cost savings that will not target the state workforce and jeopardize quality services," Brynien said.

PEF is the state's second-largest, state employee union, representing 59,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.

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