Biden Steps Aside.
1. Biden Drops Out
President Joe Biden has made the unprecedented decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. In his statement, Biden expressed gratitude for his time in office and emphasized his commitment to fulfill his duties until the end of his term. Meanwhile, Harris has garnered enough delegate support to secure the Democratic nomination.
2. Prison Closures Announced
The Fiscal Year 2025 Enacted Budget authorized the closure of up to 5 DOCCS facilities, provided that the Governor gives 90 days’ notice prior to the closure. Last week, the Governor Hochul announced that Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County and Sullivan Correctional Facility in Sullivan County will be closing. CSEA will be working with the agency and members to ensure a smooth transition; no CSEA members will lose their jobs.
3. Legislative Highlight: IDA Labor Representative
In each issue, we’ll be highlighting one of CSEA’s legislative victories from this past session. This week, we’re highlighting S.4040/A.7532, which requires that every Industrial Development Agency (IDA) board include at least one representative of a local labor organization and one member of the local school board.
IDAs provide financial assistance and incentives to businesses and development projects, utilizing public money to fund tax exemptions, grants, and other subsidies aimed at spurring economic growth. However, corporate interests are often over-represented on the boards of IDAs, resulting in decisions that fail to prioritize the needs of workers and their families. By requiring IDAs to have at least one board member from organized labor, this bill will ensure that the worker perspective is represented in economic development decisions
This bill passed both houses of the State Legislature and is awaiting delivery to Governor Hochul.
4. Assemblymember Burgos Resigns
Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, who represents parts of the Bronx, announced his resignation on Friday. The move brings Democrats’ ranks in the Assembly down to 100, the minimum number of seats to hold onto the party’s veto-proof supermajority.
5. Next Week
For the summer, This Week in Albany will be published every two weeks. The next edition will be in your inbox on August 8.
6. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our union’s 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:
Ambulance Direct Payments:
Bumping, Retreating and Rehiring Rights:
Civil Service Exam Announcements:
School Workplace Violence Prevention Programs:
Counting Provisional Time Toward Probation: