BY MIKE LEE

After months of negotiations, including debates over affordable housing and tenant protections, legislators in Albany passed the New York State budget for Fiscal Year 2025 on April 20, nearly three weeks past the April 1 deadline.

The union made progress on several priorities as a result of momentum gained from member participation in advocacy events, including the March 12 Lobby Day at the state capitol.

Tier 6 Reform Passes

After lobbying by DC 37 and other New York public sector unions, Gov. Hochul and State legislators agreed to pass critical changes to the Tier 6 pension plan. Moving forward, Tier 6 employees’ pensions will be calculated on an average of their last three years of earnings rather than five.

The union’s efforts paid off, with a $400 million investment increasing the Final Average Salary for Tier 6 members upon retirement.

The final budget also includes a two-year extension of the Overtime Exclusion benefit, which was due to expire on March 31 of this year. This benefit excludes overtime pay from calculating workers’ pension contributions. Extending the benefit was a critical demand by DC 37 because it punishes workers mandated to work overtime during a retention crisis.

The Tier 6 change has long been a priority for public workers during the State budget process.

“This is a historic investment in public sector workers’ pensions that sets the stage to improve those benefits, which is critical to tackling the issues of recruitment and retention,” DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido said.

Support for Education: Enhanced Funding for SUNY, CUNY, Afterschool Programs

In this year’s budget, the 25 campuses comprising the City University of New York (CUNY) will receive $40 million for operations aid and capital improvements, and an additional $4 million in support for the City’s community colleges. The State agreed to provide $38 million toward retro and bonus money CUNY workers are due from the recently ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The budget also increased the State University of New York’s (SUNY) operating support by $6 million and adds $50 million in capital support.

For the first time in nearly 25 years, the State increased its Tuition Assistance Program, doubling the minimum award for individual students and substantially increasing household income limits for eligibility.

Affordable Housing, NYCHA Funding

To combat rising housing costs, the budget agreement includes $150 million to build affordable housing throughout the state, including initiatives for building new multifamily homes within the five boroughs and a modification to allow for higher-density buildings.

The budget also allots $140 million for NYCHA and more than $100 million to support public housing outside of New York City, an additional $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program, and $40 million for Eviction Protection, with $10 million specific to NYC-based tenants.

COLA for Human Services, Benefits for Home Care

The new budget represents a significant victory for the Human Services sector, including many DC 37 members. The Legislature approved a 2.84% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for human services workers, including the designation of 1.7% toward wage increases for direct care, clinical, and other nonexecutive titles.

After a drastic reduction of health care funding for home care workers in last year’s State budget, the Union fought for and secured additional funds to supplement those benefits in the FY 2025 budget.

The budget also includes $350 million toward the Empire State Child Tax Credit to support eligible families.

City Budget: Some Progress, More Needed

In April, as projected and actual tax revenues improved New York City’s fiscal outlook, the Adams administration reconsidered some of its proposed cuts to vital services, including two 5% reductions announced in January and last November.

While the revised Executive Budget reverses $2.2 billion in previously stated cuts, the current proposal still includes $55 million in cuts to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, with reductions of more than 500 positions throughout the Department and the potential elimination of several youth-oriented programs.

At a March 21 City Council hearing, Local 983 President Joe Puleo, who represents Park Enforcement Patrol Officers, City Seasonal Aides, and other Parks titles, denounced the cuts.

“What makes this year different is that we expected to get 1% of the budget to fund Parks,” Puleo said. “Not only did we fail to get the 1%, we were hit with the most severe cuts in recent times. It’s a detriment to the people who use our parks.”

New York’s three library systems and cultural institutions also remain underfunded. Libraries face budget reductions of $58.3 million. Last year, budget cuts forced some branches to close on Sundays and schedule shorter operating hours, including the possibility of five-day service for several branch libraries.

At a March 12 hearing before the City Council, Queens Public Library Guild Local 1321 President John Hyslop said, “Today, only two branches are open on Sunday, and they’re closed on Saturdays. The Queens Library can no longer provide Sunday services at the Flushing location, the busiest library in the nation.”

Hyslop pointed out that the City’s library systems have had difficulty retaining staff, hindering library workers from effectively serving patrons and ensuring their safety.

The current budget proposal is harsh on New York City’s array of cultural institutions, including museums, zoos, and public gardens.

“If these cuts are not restored, jobs will be eliminated and hours of service at our libraries and cultural institutions will continue to be reduced,” said Leonard Paul, President of Local 374 Quasi-public Employees, who represents workers at three botanical gardens, the New York Public Library, and the Institute for Ecosystems Studies.

“Without continued funding, many free educational programs for students and the public will be reduced or eliminated,” Paul said. “This will also limit the availability of career development and internship opportunities for students considering working in the cultural field.”

Negotiations between the Mayor and the City Council continue as PEPtalk goes to press. The deadline for a final budget agreement is June 30.