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Disclosure of State Contracting Out
Information
S.1920 -Robach / A.6542 -Lupardo
Passed Both Houses -Awaiting Delivery to
Governor
This CSEA bill requires the Department of
Civil
Service to keep records on contracts to
outside vendors including the impact on the
state workforce, types of services contracted
out and whether the contracts are for services
similar to existing state jobs.
Contracting Out -Closing 3rd Party
Loopholes
S.3251A -Maziarz / A.6485A -John
Passed Both Houses -Awaiting Delivery to
Governor
This CSEA bill clarifies that prevailing wages
are to be paid for public works projects and
building maintenance services that are
contracted out by the government employers who
use sub-contractors and quasi-public agencies
to conduct operations. This bill will take
away the incentive to privatize public work
solely to avoid paying a decent salary and
benefits to employees on public works projects
and close a loophole that lets employers use
other agencies as a front to contract out.
Residential Facility Employers -Check-Off /
No strike Agreements
S.3008 -Spano / A.3292 -John
Passed Both Houses -Awaiting Delivery to
Governor
CSEA supported this bill that authorizes
employee organizations and employers that
operate residential facilities licensed by OMH
or OMRDD, to voluntarily enter into agreements
to confer jurisdiction to the State Labor
Relations Board, rather than the National
Labor Relations Board, to provide for a card
check agreement and impose a no strike or
lockout provision.
Defeated: "Energy Performance Contracts" - i.e.
Privatization
A.4243 -Tonko / No Senate Bill
(Killed in Committee)
This legislation, which CSEA opposed, expands
the type of work that private contractors could
provide I for schools and local governments to
allow for the "installation, maintenance or
management of other systems or equipment".
Further, this bill would I infringe on existing
collective bargaining agreements I that
stipulate the work rules, and the terms and
conditions of current public employees. This
bill encouraged the privatization of school and
local government maintenance and janitorial
services under the guise of "conserving energy".
Economic Development
Defeated: $300 Million in State Money for West
Side Stadium
The Governor proposed and CSEA opposed giving
$300 million in state funds and $300 million in
New York City funds to construct a West Side
Stadium. The state faced a $4 billion budget
deficit this year and with a public health care
crisis looming as public hospitals and nursing
homes have been closing, cutting services and
laying off workers, CSEA opposed using state
money for a risky stadium plan that would not
generate revenue for the state.
Defeated: Attempt to Privatize Road
Maintenance
CSEA defeated a proposal to allow DOT and the
Thruway Authority to enter into public/private
partnership agreements for the financing,
operation and maintenance of roadways, highways
and bridges.
Transportation Bond Act
The legislature and Governor agreed to and CSEA
supported a $2.9 billion transportation bond
act, subject to statewide voter approval in the
November 8th, 2005 general election. The overall
package evenly divides the money between upstate
highway, bridge, canal, rail and aviation
projects and downstate mass transportation
projects. The agreement protects existing
prevailing wage and other labor protections and
will mean improvements to our infrastructure as
well as increased jobs.
Reform of Freedom of
Information Law (FOIL)
Chapter 22 of the Laws of 2005 -Effective 5/3/05
S.5 A.6714 -Destito / S.3460 -Spano
This law requires agencies that receive a FOIL
request, but cannot disclose such information
within 20 business days of receiving the
request, to disclose
in writing the reason for the inability to
respond and a or date within a reasonable period
when the request will be granted.
Constitutional Amendment and Implementing
Language
A2 -Silver / S.1 -Bruno &
A.1 -Silver / S2 -Bruno
On Statewide Ballot For 2005 General Election
CSEA supports the above bills that amend the New
York State Constitution to change the state
budget deadline from April 1st to May 1st. The
amendment and companion legislation also provide
for a contingency budget to take effect in state
government in the event the legislature and
Governor do not reach agreement on a state
budget by May 1st. This amendment can only take
effect if the voters approve it on a statewide
ballot this November 8th general election. If
approved the contingency budget would continue
the previous year's spending levels with
adjustments only for federally required spending
and contractual requirements.
The bill provides that the only way to change
the contingency budget is through passage of a
single multi-appropriation bill approved by the
legislature, without the need for the Governor's
approval. This would effectively take away some
of the Governor's power to fashion a budget and
put more responsibility into the hands of the
legislature. Upon Voter approval on statewide
ballot, effective immediately.
Public Authorities
Accountability Act I
5927 -Leibell / A.9007 -Rules
Passed Both Houses -Awaiting Delivery to
Governor
This CSEA supported bill includes several
reforms and strengthens legislative oversight on
the operations of public authorities and public
benefit corporations that
operate in this state. The bill requires the
following:
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Requires these entities to
submit their budgets to the Governor and
legislature and to the appropriate local
government officials.
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Requires independent and more
comprehensive budget and operational
reporting.
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Restructures boards of various
authorities and requires financial disclosure
of board members.
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Establishes a new Public
Authorities Office in
the executive branch to review budgets and
operations of existing entities.
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