Cuomo’s policies costing New York ALBANY — Despite his stated goal of making state government run better and at less expense, at least two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s policies are actually costing taxpayers more. Giveaway to business Last spring, CSEA led the opposition to the governor’s Tax-free NY scheme allowing new businesses to set up shop on SUNY campuses and private colleges and universities and pay no taxes for 10 years. Even employees of the new businesses would be exempt from state income taxes. CSEA slammed the proposal as yet another giveaway to business at the expense of local communities and middle-class jobs. Despite widespread criticism from individuals and organizations across the political spectrum, the governor was able to ram the proposal through the legislature. At the time, Cuomo claimed the program would not cost taxpayers a dime. But the governor’s own budget office now admits it will cost taxpayers $323 million over the next three years. One state lawmaker has vowed to repeal the program, which was renamed START-UP NY, arguing that existing businesses will not benefit from it but will be forced to subsidize politically connected business, which may include direct competitors. Tax processing costly Meanwhile the Albany Times Union exposed $3.3 million in overtime spending so far this year at the state Department of Taxation and Finance resulting from the governor’s continued use of a private contractor to process paper tax returns at the agency. The newspaper reported that dozens of state Tax Department auditors had to drop their normal duties and work more than 57,000 hours of overtime in order to bail out the private contractor who had fallen behind on the job. Many taxpayers complained they had been waiting more than four months for their refunds. In addition to the overtime expense, it was reported that state revenue from audit collections, which can amount to hundreds of millions of dollars a year, may be significantly lower this year because so many state auditors were diverted from their regularly assigned duties. The state has also had to hire an outside auditing firm to oversee paper tax return processing operations at an additional taxpayer cost of between $60,000 and $70,000. “The Cuomo administration is always saying that they’re making things better without providing any real evidence,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “In these two examples, the details clearly show Cuomo-nomics is fleecing taxpayers!” CSEA endorses key candidates CSEA Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo and other union leaders recently announced the union’s endorsement of candidates for two key county executive elections. Bramson endorsed in Westchester CSEA has endorsed New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson in the heated race for Westchester County executive. CSEA activists and VOICE/ CSEA child care providers joined Riccaldo and other union leaders in announcing the endorsement. “Astorino has had four years in office and all that we’ve seen is gridlock and dysfunction,” Riccaldo said. “Noam has a proven track record in New Rochelle of bringing in new businesses and keeping taxes low while avoiding layoffs.” Astorino’s tenure has included a costly battle with U.S. Housing and Urban Development over affordable housing, cuts to child care subsidies and public transportation, as well as cuts to county work force positions, many of which are CSEA represented. “Under Noam, no longer will the poorest families in Westchester be burdened with increased child care costs from the county against the will of the county legislature,” said Westchester County Local President John Staino. “As (Astorino) continued to diminish the county work force through layoffs and attrition over the past four years, (Astorino) increased his personal staff,” said Westchester County Unit President Kwabena Manu. “This type of ‘leadership’ is not working and a change is needed.” Donnery gets nod CSEA has endorsed longtime county legislator Roxanne Donnery for Orange County executive. Riccaldo cited Donnery’s advocacy for the county-owned Valley View From left, Westchester County Unit President Kwabena Manu, Westchester County Executive candidate Noam Bramson, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo and Westchester County Local President John Staino at the news conference announcing Bramson’s endorsement. nursing home as one of many reasons for the union’s support. Outgoing County Executive Ed Diana has battled legislators over the nursing home and the future of the county’s government complex, which has been closed since sustaining damage in Hurricane Irene. “When others were writing off Valley View and the current government center, Roxanne was working to form investigatory committees and uncover the true finances for both,” Riccaldo said. “She has the integrity, tenacity and experience needed to move Orange County forward after far too many years of dysfunction and cronyism.” While leading the investigation into Valley View, Donnery confirmed severe mismanagement of the nursing home by the private firm Diana had hired to run the home. The committee findings led to legislators dumping the firm. “Roxanne has worked tirelessly to preserve essential county services while always remaining mindful of budget constraints,” Orange County Local President Sabina Shapiro said. “Her successful track record of advocacy, along with her steadfast commitment to transparency and open government, make her the clear choice to lead our county forward. — Jessica Ladlee From left, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo, Orange County Local President Sabina Shapiro and Orange County Executive candidate Roxanne Donnery announce the union’s endorsement of Donnery. 8 The Work Force September 2013
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