Call him ‘Gov press release’
By MARTY O’CONNOR Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent budget
included some major philosophical changes in the state’s approach to serving New Yorkers. The governor is getting New York
out of the business of providing services to many groups that depend on them. The assault on state- provided services encompasses many human service agencies. For decades PEF has fought the
gradual privatization of members’ work in these agencies. PEF always understood the basic economics. In some cases, particularly direct-care positions, state employees make more than their private-sector counterparts and so state employees cost more to provide the services. But there is another aspect to this equation. This takes the money away from the many who do the work and puts it into the few at the top. News about the exorbitant salaries of private-sector
executives prompted Gov. Cuomo to limit their annual pay to $199,000. Of course, this was a bit of a sham since this limit is easy to end-run. The new regulation only limits the salary paid by state financial assistance to $199,000. If they get funding from other sources they can use that money to raise the salary. But, gosh, it made for such good headlines, didn’t it? Here’s the thing. Gov. Cuomo
privatizes even when it isn’t cheaper for New York’s taxpayers. PEF has shown for years how IT and engineering are more expensive when done by contractors, yet Gov. Cuomo continues to do it. Moving more and more services to
private-sector providers entails at least a few major policy considerations. How much is too much reliance on the private-sector? Should some governmental functions be provided only by public employees? How big a pay gap is appropriate between
private-sector workers and their CEOs. Of course these issues have been
thoroughly debated by our leaders and the public has a complete understanding of the implications and the justification for such moves. Oh, wait; That didn’t happen. Our “press release governor” wasn’t
so inclined to actually share with us the rationale for such moves. Since the Legislature is essentially removed from the budget process by the threat of extenders, the governor proposes and that is that. So, we are left to assume the rationale of the governor. Well, the really cool headlines I’m sure was a major reason for the moves. Oh, what of the people who actually rely on the services? What about the people who are losing good middle- class jobs and having them replaced by lower paying no-benefit jobs? Well, you didn’t see any headlines about that did you?
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The Communicator June 2012—Page 9
TRUTH BE TOLD – EDITORIAL
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