Happy New Year!
1. New Year, New Legislative Session
The 2024 New York State Legislative Session kicked off this week, with the Senate and Assembly convening on Wednesday to highlight their successes in the past year and to discuss their priorities moving forward. This year, the legislature is expected to focus on the major issues of housing, public safety, and the state’s influx of migrants. The legislature is slated to meet 61 days this session, giving them limited time to address these issues. The legislature will look to make progress as they grapple with the $4 billion budget deficit, which is expected to constrain their efforts. There is also one new member in the legislature this year. Sam Berger, who won a special election in 2023, is entering his first session as representative for the 27th Assembly District. CSEA will be working to to ensure that this session is productive for members.
2. Workplace Violence Law Goes into Effect
On Thursday, January 4, a new law went into effect that requires public schools and BOCES to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. Implementing workplace violence prevention plans in addition to existing school safety plans will better prepare schools to prevent and address workplace safety, while also ensuring that public school and BOCES employees feel secure and supported in their workplace. CSEA was successful in getting this law enacted in the 2023 Legislative Session.
3. Gov. Signs Even-year Elections Bill
At the end of December, Governor Hochul signed a controversial bill into law to move local government elections, which are normally held in odd-numbered years, to even-numbered years, coinciding with state and federal elections. This change does not apply to city or village elections, races for county clerk, sheriff, district attorneys, local judges, New York City elections, and other elections protected in the State Constitution. It is expected that many counties across the state will file suit in opposition to these changes. CSEA also opposed this bill, as our union is concerned that state and federal issues will overshadow important local issues. This law will go into effect in 2025.
4. Next Week
On Tuesday, January 9, Governor Hochul will deliver her State of the State address, which is the annual opportunity for the executive to highlight her policy and budgetary priorities for the year. In the week leading up to the speech, the Governor has released a few snippets, which include funding for K-12 teacher retraining, improving literacy education, eliminating copayments for insulin and for pregnancy-related care, providing Paid Family Leave for prenatal care, making it harder for hospitals to sue patients to collect on medical debts, and more. The legislature will also be in session for two days next week, meeting on Monday and Tuesday.
5. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our union’s 2023 legislative successes. Click on 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: