Editor’s Note: CSEA members are working hard to elect local government candidates who stand with working people. Here is a look at a few priority races from each region. Local elections are very important to our communities and our union urges you to get out and vote. To learn more and see endorsed candidates from your region, visit cseany.org/vote.
Long Island Region
CSEA is proud to endorse candidates for reelection who have stood by members in two Nassau towns. In 2021, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin negotiated a fair contract that increased wages and expanded benefits. Clavin continues to work with CSEA to improve working conditions for members and expand services for residents.
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino has worked collaboratively with members to ensure vital services. More than 1,100 members work tirelessly every day for the town, and Saladino continues to respect and acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
Metropolitan Region
CSEA has endorsed Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz for reelection. Katz has been a good friend to CSEA, going back to her time in the State Assembly. She is always in contact with CSEA and champions issues important to our union members. As Queens DA, she has tried to balance tackling crime while also focusing on prevention.
Southern Region
From left to right, Former State Sen. Sue Serino greets Dutchess-Putnam Retirees Local activist Norma Condon at a local meeting.
CSEA enthusiastically supports our union’s longtime friend, former State Sen. Sue Serino, in her bid for Dutchess County Executive. Serino will be a supportive, qualified and excellent county executive, and we look forward to working with her to ensure her election.
City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble and City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano are running for reelection to their respective offices. CSEA has endorsed Mayors Noble and Spano in their primary elections, which both easily won. Now, we are working to get them elected to four-year terms.
Capital Region
CSEA is proud to endorse for City of Troy Mayor current City Council President Carmella R. Mantello. She is focused on working with CSEA members on fair contracts, pay, as well as improving management and morale. Our union is also proud to endorse Brad Lewis for City Council President, who will work with the Mayor and the City Council to develop a recruitment and retention plan for the city workforce and fight privatization efforts.
In the Town of Colonie, CSEA has endorsed Peter Crummey for reelection as Town Supervisor. Crummey has a strong record of supporting CSEA and delivered on his promise of a fair contract. Crummey and Town Clerk Julie Gansle, who CSEA has also endorsed, will be running for four-year terms after voters approved a referendum to extend their office terms during the 2022 election.
Central Region
Cayuga County recently consolidated legislative districts with all seats up for election. This is a good opportunity for members to get involved and support candidates who stand with working people.
In Onondaga County, CSEA is supporting Bill Kinne for County Executive. The current County Executive, Ryan McMahon, approved layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic without considering alternatives. He also proposed the closure of Jamesville Correctional Facility, while pushing a taxpayer-funded $100 million aquarium that few county residents support.
Western Region
CSEA Western Region members and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello pose at the Rochester Labor Day Parade. From left to right, Western Region Executive Vice President Tim Finnigan, Sodexo at Monroe Community College Local President Angel Pride, Western Region President Steve Healy, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Monroe County Local activist James D’Amico, Monroe Community College Unit member Thomas Asenato and Western Region 1st Vice President Carrie Asenato. (Photo by Ove Overmyer)
Members often ask, “Why do we get involved in politics?” Adam Bello may be the best answer.
Before 2019, Monroe County employees worked under an administration that didn’t value public employees or their contributions to their communities.
CSEA members then set out to successfully elect Adam Bello.
Monroe County employees won a strong contract, as well as a recruitment and retention bonus. They later got an out-of-contract upgrade to salaries designed to fix the historically poor staffing levels our members had been dealing with across nearly all departments. Bello accomplished this while cutting property taxes and improving the county’s bond rating each year since taking office.
This year, CSEA members have a chance to reelect Bello and worker- friendly legislators.
Our union gets involved in politics because having a partner in government that values working people makes a difference.
CSEA supports statewide ballot measures
New Yorkers will vote on two statewide ballot measures in this year’s General Election. Here is a summary of each:
The Exclusion of Sewer Debt from Debt Limits
CSEA Position: Support
For 50 years, sewer debts have been excluded from the constitutional debt limits of municipalities to allow them to issue debt for sewer facilities without limiting their ability to pay for other capital improvements. This ballot measure extends the exemption until 2034; this continued exemption would allow funding to maintain and improve municipal infrastructure. Thousands of CSEA members across the state provide infrastructure services.
Remove the Debt Limit for Small City School Districts
CSEA Position: Support
This ballot measure would remove the 5% cap on debt limits for small city school districts, defined as districts in cities with fewer than 125,000 residents, are subject to a cap on borrowing for school capital projects not to exceed 5% of taxable real property within the district. All other school districts are subject to a 10% cap.
This ballot measure would remove the 5% cap and subject the small city school districts to the same 10% cap of other districts. CSEA represents members employed at more than 30 small city school districts, which equally deserve high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
See page 5 for more information about voting.
