1. Federal Funding Freeze
This week, The White House sent a memo that directed federal agencies to pause all grants, loans, and financial assistance programs that flow to states. The implications of this directive were immense, and though the details were murky, it would have potentially suspended federal funding for state and local government programs. A federal judge promptly halted the directive, and the White House later rescinded the memo. However, President Trump and his press team are insisting that the directive remains in effect, creating chaos and confusion for states, including New York.
New York depends on federal funding, which makes up about 36% of the total state budget. With this directive looming, funding for schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and other spending that supports CSEA members’ jobs are all uncertain. CSEA will be monitoring federal actions closely and working with our AFSCME partners to fight this funding freeze.
2. Cabinet Confirmations
The U.S. Senate has confirmed eight of Trump’s Cabinet nominations, including:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
- Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
Several other nominees have been voted out of committee and await a vote on the Senate floor.
3. Executive Budget Highlight: Work Zone Safety
Each week, we’ll be highlighting a proposal in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget that is relevant to CSEA members.
The governor has proposed a package to enhance the existing Work Zone Speed Camera Program by:
- Making the program permanent.
- Expanding it to the New York State Bridge Authority and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
- Increasing penalties to $125 for a second violation and $175 for a third or subsequent violation within an 18-month period.
CSEA is supporting this proposal, but is also advocating to improve work zone safety further by:
- Expanding the number of authorized work zone speed cameras from 20 to 40 for the Department of Transportation and 10 to 20 for the Thruway Authority.
- Suspending the registration of any vehicle that has received four or more work zone speed camera tickets in an 18-month period.
- Increasing penalties for speeding in a non-camera work zone and when a driver fails to move over when legally required.
CSEA will be submitting testimony in support of these proposals to transportation budget hearing on Thursday, February 6.
4. Next Week
The State Legislature will meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Budget hearings continue next week, with hearings on local governments, mental hygiene, and transportation.
5. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our legislative successes. Click the icons below for informational documents that you can print, share, and post on social media to spread the news. You can also check out the summary of CSEA’s work during the 2023-2024 legislative session.
Tier 6 Reform: |
Updating Civil Service Exams: |
Counting Provisional Time Towards Promotions: |
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Virtual Training for CPS Workers: | Minimum Age & Education Requirements for Exams: |
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