Cuomo admin reportedly planning layoffs for July, driver in Troy hit-and-run pleads guilty, another bust for Elza, more trouble at Troy co-op?
This just in: it's hot. Wednesday's high temp was 93, which tied the record for the date (normal high temp: 76). Thursday's forecast: highs near 90 with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. (Here are a few hail pics from Wednesday's storms.) [NWS] [NWS] [AOA]
The Cuomo admin is planning to start the first round of state employee layoffs on July 15, according to a memo obtained by the Times Union. The admin and the unions have yet to reach a deal on a new contract, and Cuomo has said 9,800 layoffs could be necessary without cost-savings from a new contract. [TU]
The Cuomo admin also released legislation that would create a new pension tier for new state employees (we're up to Tier VI if you're counting at home). Among the provisions: increasing the retirement age from 62 to 65, ending early retirement, and excluding overtime from the calculation determining average salary. The bill would not shift the system toward a 401(k)-type of plan. The admin says the plan would save the state $93 billion over 30 years. Advocacy groups for local municipalities gave the plan a thumbs up. The state employee unions were annoyed -- the words "grandstanding" and "draconian" were both used. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics]
Roy Sanders, the man who drove the pickup truck that hit Jahvion Perez in Troy, pleaded guilty at his arraignment yesterday. Sanders told the judge that no one had coerced him into pleading guilty, but the mother of his children told the media they had been threatened. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Chris Gibson yesterday in Saratoga on his support for the Ryan plan to restructure Medicare: "Our proposal does not kill Medicare. The status quo kills Medicare." He also talked about economic development. And on Anthony Weiner: "I think all Americans feel let down. He's certainly going to face accountability with the ethics committee investigation that's going on. But ultimately, his accountability is going to come with his constituents, his family and his own conscience." [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
Albany police say the New World Bistro Bar car crash was the result of a fight over a woman. One of the restaurant's owners says crash sounded like an explosion. Said chef Ric Orlando of what prompted the crash: "Love triangles aren't secret to anybody. They happen all over the world and in the weirdest places. We just happened to be closeby to a little romantic conflict." The restaurant was back open last night. [AOA] [Fox23] [YNN] [NWBB]
Mark down another bust for Elza, Troy's police dog. The TPD says she helped them identify a shipment that allegedly included five pounds of pot. They arrested a man in the Hill neighborhood for allegedly trying to receive the shipment. [Troy Record] [YNN] [TU]
A retroactive pay increase will bring the average administrator's salary in the Shen school district to $117,770. [TU]
The Troy food co-op is asking members to chip in $50 because of financial problems. [TU]
A teacher at St. Thomas in Delmar is retiring after 52 years as a teacher. [TU]
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Comments
"The Cuomo admin also released legislation that would create a new pension tier for new state employees (we're up to Tier VI if you're counting at home)."
I understand that a subsequent Tier VII will include indentured servitude as an option for State employment....
... said Bob on Jun 9, 2011 at 11:12 AM | link
@ Bob, Oh puhhlease. State workers have had it good for a long time. Sorry I can't continue to shell out my $$$ to pay ou the billions to bloated pensions, I'm tapped.
... said Phil on Jun 9, 2011 at 11:20 AM | link
Bob, Tiers I-VI have turned new york taxpayers into indentured servants via the outrageous taxes in this state, so I guess what goes around comes around...
... said ike on Jun 9, 2011 at 11:21 AM | link
@Phil, ike: while you two are obviously frustrated, the fact remains that public employees' total compensation is already less than that of private employees when controlling for differences in educational levels. Reducing public employee pension benefits will result in new hires being compensated even less in comparison.
While some folks may applaud the devaluing of the public sector, such devaluing will only end badly for us all, both private sector and public sector.
... said Bob on Jun 9, 2011 at 12:40 PM | link