2011 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

On-Going Initiatives

• Pension Systems Protection: The state, police, fire and local retirement systems were designed to provide security for public employees in retirement. Pension contributions are made by employers in lieu of salary and other negotiated benefits. The reserves in the pension systems belong to the public employees and should not be used for any purpose other than retiree benefits.
• Early Retirement Without Reduction of Service: Periodically, state and local governments encourage employees to retire early. Incentives may be targeted to certain areas of the workforce or titles. However, eliminating positions from the public service can cause unacceptable cuts in services, and even burden the remaining workforce. Further elimination of titles must not negatively impact on the level of service provided.
• Benefit Improvements for Survivors of Workers Killed in the Line of Duty: It is necessary to provide adequately for families of public employees who die in the line of duty. It should be the policy of the state to upgrade public employees who die in the line of duty to the top-step salary.
• Ensure Safe Work Environment: Ensure that the public employee workforce has the tools needed to prevent occupational illness in any future, risky work environment. In spite of state, county and municipal budget constraints, public employers must continue to ensure a safe workplace. Every effort must be made to promote compliance with health and safety measures to ensure employer policies provide a safe working environment, and that all equipment meets the necessary standards.
• Progressive Methods of Taxation: Public services are the foundation upon which commerce, industry and a civil society are built. Public employees at every level of government are citizens who provide these essential services. Public employees must be guaranteed compensation, benefits and pensions that will allow them to live with dignity in their communities, and help them sustain the state and local economy. Maintaining these public services is the responsibility of every citizen, business and institution. Those who benefit most from the prosperity that public services provide have a greater responsibility to sustain public services. Therefore, the New York State Public Employee Conference supports progressive methods of taxation that put the responsibility of paying taxes on citizens, businesses and institutions who benefit most from this prosperity and have a greater ability to pay.
• Improvements to the 9/11 Presumptive Disability Legislation: While the passage and signing of the 9/11 Presumptive Disability laws was indeed laudable, we all are aware that the existing legislation is imperfect. The 9/11 Governor’s Task Force is making recommendations for improving the existing legislation. We fully support efforts to obtain funding, federal or otherwise, to address any 9/11-related issues.
• Extenders: Any temporary legislation that provides benefits to public employees should be passed.

  Issues Under Study

• State Budget Implications
• Legislation That Will Provide Criminal Sanctions Against Anyone Who Assaults Public Employees During the Performance Of Their Duties
• Deferred Retirement Option Plans (DROP)
• Health Care Reform
• Partial Lump Sum Option Plans (PLOP)    

Issues We Oppose

• Any Reduction in Pension Benefits for Public Employees
• Constitutional Convention
• Any Legislative Attempt to Undermine Collective Bargaining and the Existing Binding Arbitration Process
• Residency Requirements and/or Credits for Public Employees
• Inappropriate Consolidation of Services
• Privatization
• Any Diminishment of Health Insurance Benefits for Our Retirees
• Any Attempt to Re-Introduce a Residency Tax on Employees of the City of New York
• Any Commuter Tax on Employees of the City of New York, Including the "1127" Tax

Issues We Support

• Workers' Compensation Reform
• Cost of Living Adjustment
• Pension Re-Openers
• Ensuring Safe Nurse Staffing
• Retiree Health Benefits Guarantee
• Military Buyback for Veterans
• Competitive Exams for Appointments and Promotions
• Independent Hearing Officer
• Retirement for State University Police Officers
• Tier Equity
• Permanent Heart Bill
• Heart Bill Clarification
• Revision of the Taylor Law
• Statewide Variable Supplements Fund
• Pensions Guarantee
• "211" Waivers
• Fiscal Notes
• COBRA
• Upholding PERB Decisions
• Limitation on Disciplinary Suspension of Public Employees