1. Even Year Elections
Last week, a State Supreme Court Justice struck down New York’s Even Year Election Law, finding that the statute violates the State Constitution. The law would have moved most local elections to even years to align them with races for U.S. President, U.S. Congress, Governor and both houses of the State Legislature. This law was passed in 2023 and would have gone into effect in 2025. The state is expected to appeal this ruling. CSEA was opposed to shifting local elections to even years.
2. Election Highlights: The New York State Senate
The 2024 general election is 17 days away! This week, we are highlighting New York State Senate races. All 63 seats in the State Senate are up for re-election this year, and CSEA has made endorsements is many of them throughout the state. While each race is important, we wanted to highlight a few.
CSEA has endorsed Jack Martins in his re-election bid for Senate District 7, which encompasses part of Nassau County. Jack is a longtime friend of CSEA and has fought for workers and middle-class families throughout his four terms in the State Senate. Jack is also one of the most vocal proponents of Tier 6 reform in the Senate.
CSEA is proud to endorse Rob Rolison in his re-election bid for Senate District 39, which encompasses parts of Orange, Rockland and Ulster counties. In the State Senate, Rob has been an outspoken advocate for Tier 6 reform. Before that, as Mayor of Poughkeepsie, Rob worked with CSEA to negotiate multiple contracts that were good for workers.
CSEA is also supporting Chris Ryan in his race to replace John Mannion in Senate District 50, which encompasses parts of Onondaga and Oswego counties. Mannion is currently running to unseat Brandon Williams in New York’s 22nd Congressional District. Chris Ryan is a current union president who knows the issues that working people face. As an Onondaga County Legislator, Chris walked picket lines with CSEA and fought against privatization and outsourcing. He’s been an advocate for union members at the county level and he will continue to be as a state legislator.
For more information on how to vote, including early voting locations and a list of all of CSEA’s endorsements, visit cseany.org/vote.
3. 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 CSEA’s summary of the 2024-2025 Enacted Budget here.
Tier 6 Reform:
Updating Civil Service Exams:
Counting Provisional Time Toward Promotions:
Employee Notice of Records Disclosure:
Minimum Age & Education Requirements for Exams: