PRESS RELEASE - Governor Hochul Retaliates Against State’s Specialized Police Officers for Exercising Free Speech Rights
Monday, October 07, 2024Governor Hochul Retaliates Against State’s Specialized Police Officers for Exercising Free Speech Rights Refusal to End “Help Wanted, New Governor Needed” Billboard Campaign Results in Veto of Retirement Equity for 1,200 State Law Enforcement Officers
Albany, NY (October 4, 2024) – The PBA of New York State expresses its outrage at the tyrannical actions of Governor Hochul who vetoed retirement equity legislation for the fourth time today because the union refused to pull down billboards questioning the Governor’s commitment to public safety. During a phone call yesterday between the union’s president and Director of State Operations Katherine Garcia, Director Garcia threatened to have the legislation vetoed if the billboards were not immediately pulled. In little more than 12 hours the bill was called up from the legislature and promptly vetoed per her threat.
Jim McCartney, PBA of New York State president, said, “This is the most unconscionable behavior I have ever witnessed by government officials and a complete violation of public trust. Despite our best efforts to support the Governor’s public safety, environmental, and inclusion agenda, her true colors have finally shown through, and all New Yorkers can see her for the anti-police, anti-labor authoritarian that she is. The right to free speech is sacrosanct, especially when it comes to criticizing those who represent and serve us. At a time when there is a national discourse on the threat of government censorship Governor Hochul lashes out in anger with the full weight of her office when anybody criticizes her. It is easy to see why she has an abysmal approval rating below 30% in a state that is overwhelmingly democrat.”
The veto in reality came as no surprise as she has done it year after year since assuming office and has similarly failed to include it in her budget – signaling that financial security for the families of those who protect New York’s families is nowhere on her agenda. While a veto was not unexpected, it was more a question of when. Using the veto as a threat to gain compliance with the Governor’s demands has union members questioning what her next retaliatory strike will be. For years the New York State Park Police have worked under the threat of being disbanded and absorbed by the New York State Police – now they are waiting for the axe to fall because they finally spoke up for their rights.
McCartney concluded, “One has to wonder what Governor Hochul’s democrat colleagues in the state legislature think about this. They have spoken overwhelmingly in support of our members and their specialized missions that have saved so many lives. They consider us the model of modern policing, and Governor Hochul just turned her back not only on us, but them as well. What is plain to see is that Governor Hochul is no friend of law enforcement and only pays lip service when it comes to being pro labor.”
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ABOUT the PBA of New York State: Established in 2011, the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of New York State), is a law enforcement labor union representing the interests of more than 1,100 members of the New York State Agency Police Services Unit (APSU). The PBA of New York State is the exclusive bargaining agent for the New York State University (SUNY) Police, the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the New York State Park Police, and the New York State Forest Rangers. Our members police and protect New York State’s public universities and colleges; state parks and historic sites; and they enforce state laws and protect our lands and forests and ensure environmental safety and quality throughout the state.
