Legislative budget hearings begin!
1. Budget Hearings
This week, the State Senate and Assembly began budget preparations in earnest, with their first three Joint Legislative Budget Hearings on Health, Transportation, and Public Protection. At these hearings, commissioners of state agencies, advocacy groups, and others testified about the provisions in Governor Hochul’s executive budget. Witnesses had the opportunity to advocate for additional provisions and funding for the organizations and issues they care about, as well as to support the governor’s proposals. These hearings will continue each week through mid-February.
To learn more about Governor Hochul’s executive budget proposal, click here.
2. Dickens & Zebrowski Not Seeking Re-election
This week, Assemblymember Inez Dickens, who represents the 70th Assembly District comprising parts of Manhattan, and Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, who represents the 96th Assembly District comprising parts of Rockland County, announced that they will not be seeking re-election in November.
Dickens took her seat in 2017, while Zebrowski has served for 9 terms, since 2007.
3. Next Week
Joint Legislative Budget Hearings continue next week, with hearings on Economic Development & Arts, Workforce Development & Labor, Human Services, and Elementary and Secondary Education. CSEA will be providing testimony at the Workforce Development & Labor hearing on January 30. The legislature will also be in session for three days next week, meeting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
4. REMINDER: PEOPLE Rewards
All PEOPLE contributors should have received an email from AFSCME regarding PEOPLE Rewards. AFSCME is transitioning away from rewards points and they are set to expire March 1, 2024. To redeem your points prior to the expiration, AFSCME has included detailed instructions on how to login to access the PEOPLE Rewards online store. Click here for instructions.
5. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our union’s 2023 legislative successes. Click the icons below for informational documents that you can print, share, and post on social media to spread the news!
Ambulance Direct Payments:
Bumping, Retreating and Rehiring Rights:
Civil Service Exam Announcements:
School Workplace Violence Prevention Programs:
Counting Provisional Time Toward Probation: