Health reform, contributions delayed again
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- April
- 27
A move to reform county employee benefits was derailed last night as four proposals, including a new plan to have employees contribute to their health care, remain in legislative limbo.
Republicans overed, or delayed, three items including a revised employee contribution model; limits on sick and vacation buyouts; and hiring a consultant to look at  the county’s health offerings and find savings.
Democrats shot back and tabled an employee buy-out pitched by County Executive Rob Astorino. They also overed an unrelated item, an Astorino appointment.
“It’s pretty hard to vote on something when different versions of the law have been debated, even today,” said Legislator John Testa, R-Peekskill of the changes that have been put forth on Monday. “It should be as uncomplicated as possible. We can’t be short-sighted and pass something for the sake of passing something. It’s to the point where it has to be done right.”
Democrats, particularly Vice Chairman Lyndon Williams, D-Mount Vernon, accused Republicans of “Washington and Albany style political tactics of stalling and obstructing progress.”
“The taxpayers of Westchester are demanding swift and decisive relief,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers. “It is unconscionable that any legislator is delaying action that could result in much needed savings.”
The new contribution model was crafted by the board’s Democrats and would have made workers  —those earning the most – contribute as much as 25 percent. It had Republican support, including from Legislator James Maisano, R-New Rochelle, who helped broker a compromise earlier in the day. It included the District Attorney’s Office.
In this latest incarnation, workers making up to $75,000, for example, would pay 5 percent. Workers making between $75,000 – $105,000 would kick-in 10 percent; 15 percent for anyone making $105,000 to $118,000 and 20 percent for anyone making $118,000 – $137,000. Â The highest contribution, 25 percent, would be required for employees making more than $137,000.
The administration said it didn’t like this new version because it created different employee classes. They said they needed more time to review it, but were willing to work on a compromise.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 at 12:19 pm by Gerald McKinstry.
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The no-spin, transparent view of the same scenario:
For workers making up to $75,000, TAXPAYERS would pay 95%; for workers making between $75,000 – $105,000 TAXPAYERS would kick-in 90%; 85% percent for anyone making $105,000 to $118,000 and 80% for anyone making $118,000 – $137,000. The least egregious contribution, 75 percent, would be required by TAXPAYERS for employees making more than $137,000.
Does anyone else feel compelled to report a crime in progress?
This is a “Crime”. I contribute for my health care out of payroll deductions. Why should my taxes pay for county employees who are making more than me?!! County workers better come to the real world. Pay for your own benefits like everyone else!
Time to shut down the civil service trough. Pensions and benefits are bankrupting governments across the country. CA is having huge problems. No one should make a pension equal to or more than their base salary. No public employee should be retired longer than they work. Let them kick into their own pension and medical like the rest of us. Oh, and no more banging the overtime to artificially inflate pension. Being a paid cop and fireman is like hitting lotto. No more night differential or double time. You don’t like working nights? Get another job.
i agree, lets make it all even with private biz but not starting just now, lets go back 20 years in time and pay the difference to even up what public employees didnt make that private sector did, then we can talk. Watch and see what happens, contracts will expire and they will just remain as they are, Astorino has all his eggs in one basket, balanced on the back of public employees. He is just going to have a stalemate and come out the loser…cant wait!!!
Cowards. Vote them all out of office if they can’t stand up and make a change.
Harrisburg, (capitol of Pennsylvania,) having already taxed its citizenry to the point of no return, is seriously considering bankruptcy. Read the scribbling on the crumbling wall.
It’s not the civil servants that caused the economic crisis, but they sure are catching the brunt of people’s anger around here. I guess you can only beat on the banking industry and the brokerage houses so much, eh!
Reign in the cops and corrections officers because they seem to be the only civil servants that are becoming rich in public service!
I have one question, if the economy was taking off and the union had taken a 0% raise for 2011 does anyone think for a minute that the county would say, “We are doing great, let’s renegotiate a salary raise for you?”.
The answer is no, so why should any union reopen a contract because the county is claiming they are in a hole. A contract is a contract and it should be honored.
Just because the private sector has gone backwards doesn’t mean the public sector should too. Thank god for the unions, they assure that workers get a fair shake. The benefits that they defend have been around for GENERATIONS and municipalities have continued to thrive throughout. The economy hit a rough spot and municipalities revenues dropped. Despite what the Politicians would lead you to believe, public employees are not the problem. Politicians mismanage pension funds, use tax dollars for pork projects, add social program after social program, and then point the finger at Public Employees.
Most County workers dont make as much as Rob Astorino would like you to believe. If anybody should be to blame it Astorino and his Commisioners and Deputys. They all make well over 100k aa year and get to drive around in nice hybrid vehicles, they dont even have to pay for gas or to even get there cars washed. Rob Astorinos vehicle is a 2009 Mercury Mariner hybrid with leather interior and heated seats, he has an EZ pass on it and lights and sirens too. Most of the big wigs get something similar to this as well. Astorino should lead by example and let him pay into his medical and take a pay cut. Trust me if he took a 20k pay cut he would still be making well over 100k. Dont let him fool you.
I have an interim suggestion. The County Board of Legislators should authorize County Executive Astorino to immediately require all political appointees under his jurisdiction (commissioners, deputy commissioners, patronage appointees) to contribute towards their health care. Once some of the appointees start contributing,it will be easier for the administration to get a more comprehensive bill approved that will impact other county employees and elected officials. My suggestion would result in immediate taxpayer savings. No one wants legislative stalemate.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
The Feiner suggestion was suggested by Jenkins in January, the Administration called it “watered down”.
According the the County Board, this will save more money than the Astorino plan. The Republicans are just about delaying and whining.
Come to think of it, didn’t the Republicans delay the last version of contributions that was passed. This version had Republican support as Maisano helped. It seems the Republicans don’t want to get it done.
ANDRUSS RICH AND FEINER MIND YOUR OWN F IN BUSINESS.
“different employee classes” what, you mean like the different unions and non-union people.
Just a silly statement from the Administration. They really meant to say, “I don’t want to contribute 25% of the cost of health insurance—although I just got an $18,000 raise.”
Unless you are George Oros who got about a $100,000 raise. Good work if you can get it.
TYPICAL PRIVATE SECTOR MENTALITY.OUR GRAVY TRAIN RAN OUT NOW LETS BLEED THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS. NOT HAPPENING BOYS. WE WILL VOTE ASTORINO OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTION WHILE ALL THESE IDEAS LANGUISH IN POLITICAL LIMBO!
VITO PINTO DID WELL ALSO. ASTORINO APPOINTEE WHILE COLLECTING A NICE PENSION.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES WENT WITHOUT RAISE IN 06, 07 AND 08. WE WILL NOT RENEGOTIATE OUR CONTRACT IN 2011 PERIOD!
HEY RICH BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASS
tis true, we went 3 years without a raise. stop pointing fingers!
and not everybody in the public sector make over $75,000. there is a small percentage of people who do earn more than that and they hold public offices. so stop blaming the little people who are just trying to make a decent living.