PRESS RELEASE: PBA of New York State Calls-Out Governor Hochul for Vetoing Equitable Retirement Bill for State Employees
Thursday, December 22, 2022Albany, NY (December 22, 2022) – The PBA of New York State (PBANYS) today denounced Governor Hochul’s veto of critical pension equity legislation that would aid in the recruitment and retention of highly specialized and diverse officers who put their lives in danger each day.
Governor Hochul cited fiscal constraints for her veto, while at the same time indicating her support for a $32,000 a year pay raise for state legislators that will cost New York state taxpayers approximately $7 million dollars annually while ironically significantly bolstering the amount legislators get at retirement. The state’s contribution for past services related to a 20-year retirement for more than 1,100 officers who risk their lives daily is also around $7 million annually if amortized over 10 years.
James McCartney, president of the PBA of New York State, said, “While we support pay raises for legislators, it is simply unconscionable that the 20-year pension equity bill was vetoed for the third time in as many years. Repeatedly we are told that it must be included as part of the budget process, yet time and time again it is not included in the Governor’s budget proposal. Last year the union was even told by the Governor’s people to push for it during our contract negotiations – something that is specifically prohibited by law. The time for excuses is over. Our members have earned the same retirement which nearly every police officer in New York already qualifies for. Our officers risk their lives every day. If the Governor believes the state’s budget can support pay raises for legislators, it can certainly support retirement equity for our 1,100 members.”
While nearly every police officer in New York State, both state and municipal, is able to retire with a full pension after 20 years of service, the 1,100 officers represented by PBANYS must work for 25 years to earn the same benefit. This has led to a revolving door that not only jeopardizes public safety but also costs the state of New York tens of millions of dollars in lost training costs – not to mention hundreds of years of invaluable experience. Denying PBANYS members a 20-year retirement is penny wise and pound foolish.
PBANYS’s membership is comprised of New York’s Forest Rangers, Park Police, University Police and Environmental Conservation Officers. Support for these officers is far reaching and includes the law enforcement community as a whole, sportsmen, individuals concerned about protecting New York’s environment, public higher educational institutions, state parks, historic/cultural sites, as well as nearly every state legislator – democrat and republican alike. Recently more than 3,500 supporters signed a petition urging Governor Hochul to enact this critical legislation – a plea that fell upon deaf ears.
“Our members faithfully answer the call whenever the public is in need or danger. Whether it is performing complicated mountain and water rescues, securing the United Nations for world dignitaries, or taking illegal guns off the street. We do the same job, face the same dangers, and bring a level of expertise to the table that is unparalleled. New Yorkers need these officers in their jobs and a 20-year pension is vital to keeping them in their agencies,” McCartney added.
With the national conversation focusing on reimagining policing PBANYS has been at the forefront in working toward diversity and inclusion in its members’ agencies, and equitable compensation and retirement benefits are central to recruiting and retaining diverse and female officers. Governor Hochul’s 30x30 Initiative will never be successful if female officers in three state agencies are disadvantaged for choosing an agency with an outdated 25-year retirement. It is no secret that these agencies are overwhelmingly white and male. Without a 20-year retirement PBANYS member agencies will never achieve significant diversity.
McCartney concluded, “It is time for the state to provide parity for our members. We accept that the 20-year bill needs to be part of the budget, and as the legislature returns to Albany to act on Governor Hochul’s budget proposal our members are calling for it to be included. It is long past time that New York state provides our members with a 20-year retirement to recruit and retain the highest quality and most diverse officers to protect our citizens, environment, natural resources, and public universities.”
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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.
