Week ending November 15, 2024
This e-mail is 509 words, about a 3-minute read.
1. Workplace Safety
In the wake of the tragic deaths of CSEA Thruway Authority employee Stephen Ebling, CSEA social services worker Mario Soto, and NYS Park Ranger Dariel Vasquez, CSEA is calling on the Governor and State Legislature to make workplace safety a top priority during the 2025 legislative session.
To start, CSEA is urging state lawmakers to strengthen existing laws and implement new penalties aimed at ensuring the safety of highway workers and other first responders who work on the state’s highways. In many cases, drivers have failed to follow the law by not moving over or slowing down when approaching work zones or areas where vehicles are on the side of a highway.
We will be continuing our work in this legislative session and beyond to ensure that all CSEA members are safe in the workplace.
2. Chris Ryan Wins in SD-50
CSEA-endorsed candidate Chris Ryan declared victory today in the race to replace John Mannion in the 50th New York State Senate District. While there are still votes outstanding, Ryan currently leads by about 1,400 votes, which is greater than the 0.5% margin that automatically triggers a hand recount by state law.
Despite holding on to this hotly contested seat, Democrats have lost their supermajority in the State Senate. This means that they no longer have the power to override a Governor’s veto without help from Senate Republicans.
3. Trump Cabinet Picks
Since winning the presidential election, President-elect Trump has selected several allies to serve in cabinet positions for the next administration. As of this publication, he has selected:
- Rep. Elise Stefanik as United Nations Ambassador
- Former Rep. Lee Zeldin as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State
- Rep. Matt Gaetz as U.S. Attorney General
- Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security
- Fox News Host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
- Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe as CIA Director
- Tom Homan as ‘Border Czar,’ who will oversee deportation policy and aviation security
These selections would need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. However, Trump has suggested utilizing “recess appointments” to bypass the Senate confirmation process for some positions. This constitutional provision allows the president to fill vacancies when Congress is not in session. Congress would need to be adjourned for at least 10 days. Recess appointments would be able to serve in their selected roles for the remainder of the congressional session, up to two years.
4. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our 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.
Tier 6 Reform: |
Updating Civil Service Exams: |
Counting Provisional Time Towards Promotions: |
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Minimum Age & Education Requirements for Exams: |
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