Statement of PEF President Susan M. Kent on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2015-16 state budget

ALBANY, NY (01/21/2015)(readMedia)-- " We have some concerns with the budget plan unveiled by Gov. Andrew Cuomo today. First, the proposed 2015-16 budget proposal includes no funding increases for state agencies. With agency budgets remaining flat, understaffing will continue and needed public services in communities will decline. Yet, the governor emphasized how he believes in community and that 'the New York way is one for all, and all for one.'

"The governor spoke about the billions of dollars in settlement funds the state has received and how he has earmarked the money. PEF members were directly responsible for bringing that $5.4 billion into New York. We believe the governor and the Legislature should recognize the value of the work done by the professional workers represented by PEF in securing the settlement by ensuring funds from the windfall are reinvested, in part, to state agencies to maintain and improve public services in all New York communities.

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