Statement from PEF President Kenneth Brynien in Response to Gov. Cuomo's State of the State Message

ALBANY, NY (01/05/2011)(readMedia)-- In response today to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State Message in Albany, Kenneth Brynien, president of the New York State Public Employees Federation, said:

"We agree with Governor Cuomo that we all need to work together to solve the state's budget problems.

We are encouraged that he proposes to work together to help New York through this crisis, rather than dictate solutions.

We look forward to working with him through this same deliberative process when dealing with the juvenile justice facilities and we recognize the need for programs these facilities provide. They are not just a jobs program, but a continuum of services in the juvenile justice system.

Working together to help New York through this crisis requires all New Yorkers to do their part, and both the spending and revenue sides of the solution need equal consideration.

It's time for a common sense approach to the state's fiscal problem. State workers did not cause the economic crisis, but we stand willing to work with the governor to fix it. "

The New York State Public Employees Federation is New York's second largest state-employee union, representing approximately 56,000 professional, scientific and technical employees of the state and other employers.