CSEA President Danny Donohue: State budget proposes wrong priorities Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state budget proposal may claim that New York is surging ahead, but the plan is really leaving too many people behind. Plenty of money is lined up for corporate welfare and so-called economic development programs that cost taxpayers millions and fail dismally at producing the jobs they promise. Billions of dollars are proposed for infrastructure projects, with only smoke and mirrors explanations on how to pay for them. But, once again, the budget proposals shortchange localities, underfund state agencies and leave human needs unmet. That doesn’t create a better New York for all. The retirement security of future state retirees is also at stake. This budget proposes to increase the costs of health insurance premiums for state employees who retire on or after Oct. 1, 2016. Like you, these workers have earned their right to a dignified, secure retirement and this is simply unfair. Message from Retiree Executive Committee Chair Judy Richards Happy New Year, brothers and sisters! I am proud to report that the Retiree Division has made significant accomplishments last year. First, the Retiree Strategic Planning Committee created a Facebook page with nearly 600 “likes,” and established a communications committee that is hard at work. A Work Group to Study Retiree Membership Qualifications has also developed and submitted constitutional language which would allow spouses and domestic partners to hold membership in the division. While we have had a productive 2015, we have a lot of work to do in 2016, including opposing the Trans Pacific Partnership, the 2016 elections, Social Security, Medicare, minimum wage, a constitutional convention and much more. We need to stay focused, united and involved to keep the many benefits we have fought for over the years. CSEA Retiree Local Presidents have already sent letters to their congressional representative and senators to urge them to impose TPP legislation. Now, we are asking you to do the same. We have also had progress in the ongoing New York State retiree health insurance lawsuit (see article on page 3). This past fall, the Capital District Alliance for Retired Americans’ annual meeting in Latham. Topics of discussion included the alliance’s strategic plan, Trans Pacific Partnership, Medicare and Social Security, trends in retirement security and the New York State EPIC Program. All of these presentations included information that will be vital for us. In closing, on a personal note, it is with joy and anxiety that I begin a new journey in my life. My husband retired in December and we are spending part of this winter in Florida as first-time “snowbirds.” While I am happy for him, it will be a challenge for me. My work will continue as chair of the Retiree Division and President of the Capital Region Retirees Local 999 while I am in Florida, so stay in touch voicing your concerns, comments and ideas. I am looking forward to another productive year with your help! In Solidarity, Judy And, as they say on TV, that’s not all. A repeatedly rejected and discredited scheme for local government consolidation is back. Local governments across the state don’t like it and financial experts agree it won’t save taxpayers money. But there it is. Deficient vision and inadequate funding for state mental health care has undermined services and led to more misery for seriously vulnerable people and saddled local taxpayers with an unfunded mandate. There are more people receiving mental health care in jails than there are in state psychiatric centers, costing localities tens of millions of dollars! Likewise, the lack of staff and resources has strained developmental disabilities services to the breaking point, but there is no budget relief, even as 11,000 individuals and families are on waiting lists for help. The horrendous examples go on and on throughout the budget proposal. None of these issues are new, so enough is enough. The governor needs to get real. Stay up to date with The Work Force CSEA retiree membership does not include a subscription to CSEA’s official newspaper, The Work Force. Retirees may receive the newspaper, published 11 times per year, at a special rate of $5 per year. Retirees can send subscription requests with a check or money order payable to CSEA, Inc. and mail to: The Work Force Subscription Department 143 Washington Avenue Albany, N.Y. 12210 YES, I want to receive the official CSEA newspaper, The Work Force, 11 times per year. ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $5 made payable to CSEA, Inc. for a one-year subscription. NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: 2 CSEA RETIREE NEWS
Retiree News Winter 2016
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