DOWN SIZING

In the News yesterday, Gov. Spitzer announced he was going to close jails. He claims he will form a committee to determine which ones. Claims there are 9000 excess beds, even though the counties have enough State Ready inmates to fill these beds. Cheaper to leave them in the county, than put in State system.
Don't be surprised if Collins and/or Groveland are on the list.
Rumor out there has it that Orleans is going to convert to a female facility.
Gov. also wants to change retirement system whereas the retirement will be 50% of base-not final average salary. This would have to apply to new State hires, I think.
NYSCOPBA has dissolved the negotiation committee for the 2007 contract. Members of this committee were not happy. Will we have another back door deal?
Tuition assisstance payments are not being paid. State claims that we do not have a contract, and they are witholding funds as well as quality of work life funds. We have never been given the right to vote of this so called arbitration agreement, so the state is taking this to mean that we have not ratified our contract. This vote would only pertain to non-monetary issues.
Spitzer is not going to help Corrections! I believe that he will try to privatize some facilities, now that we do not have an anti privatization bill signed. Remember, Paytaxme vetoed it so the new Gov. could do as he pleased.
Hang tough
Watch each others backs.