Statement of PEF President Ken Brynien on State Budget Agreement

ALBANY, NY (03/28/2012)(readMedia)-- The state budget agreed to by the legislative leaders makes some important improvements from the governor's original proposal.

We are encouraged the Legislature defended the civil service system against the governor's attempt to undermine the constitutional principle of merit and fitness. The budget also removes language that would have authorized the closing of Kingsboro Psychiatric Center and adds important funding for SUNY operated hospitals.

However, in many other ways, this agreement continues the trend toward the government abandoning its responsibilities for the care and protection of people with mental illness and developmental disabilities. This budget allows the potential decimation of inpatient services for the mentally ill. It lays the groundwork for privatization of services for the developmentally disabled, and the state is walking away from its duty to protect public safety, by outsourcing juvenile justice.

The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) calls on legislators to refuse to let the state abandon these critical responsibilities.

The governor and the Legislature need to begin recognizing the importance of public services and the work public employees do for the people of our state. You should not have to be a millionaire to be treated with respect by elected leaders.

PEF is the state's second-largest state-employee union, representing 54,000 professional, scientific and technical employees of New York and other public and private employers.