Politics on the Hudson

State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara Fiala just announced she will reinstate the requirement for an eye test at the DMV to get a driver’s license renewal. She plans to convene an advisory group of experts in the health, safety and transportation fields  ”to determine the best and most efficient way to ensure that New York’s drivers possess the vision acuity necessary for safe driving.”

The group will look at the latest procedures for vision testing, the policies of other states and what the most cost-effective way is of “assuring the vision safety of New York State’s 11 million drivers, while providing the convenience of online transactions,” Fiala’s statement said.

The DMV announced Monday that drivers could “self-certify” their vision is good enough to drive, rather than having to read a chart in their local DMV office or obtain a note from a health-care provider. County clerks, eye doctors and members of law enforcement have since voiced strong opposition to the change, saying it imperils public safety.

This is the rest of Fiala’s statement:

“I have asked the medical organizations prominent in the vision health field, AAA and AARP to review the best alternatives for a system that receives more than 2.4 million driver license renewal applications each year.  Those of us charged with delivering key government services to the public must always look for the most cost-effective ways to provide those services, but public safety will always be the first priority at DMV and it will not be compromised.

The news release includes comments from AARP, AAA New York State and the New York State Ophthalmological Society, the New York State Optometric Association, the New York State Society of Opticians and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

A national group that vehemently opposes same-sex marriage has launched a new billboard campaign against a group of senators who voted for the measure this year, part of a promise to spend $2 million to oust them from office.

The National Organization for Marriage put up billboards in the districts of four senators who had previously opposed same-sex marriage before voting in favor this June: Sens. James Alesi, R-Perinton, Monroe County; Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie; Mark Grisanti, R-Buffalo; and Shirley Huntley, a Democrat from Queens.

The group had already put up a billboard in Sen. Roy McDonald’s district.

The billboards, which carry the individual senators’ names and carry the message “You’re Next”, reference the NY-9 congressional race, where same-sex marriage opponent Bob Turner, a Republican, defeated Democrat David Weprin in a heavily Democratic district. (Turner’s campaign, however, intentionally did not make same-sex marriage a campaign issue, his aides have said.)

“Just like David Weprin discovered earlier this month when he faced voters after redefining marriage, Mark Grisanti, Stephen Saland, James Alesi, Roy McDonald and Shirley Huntley will soon discover that the people of New York will not sit idly by while the institution of marriage is redefined without voters having any say in the matter,” said Brian Brown, president of NOM, said in a statement.

The group says it spent $40,000 on the billboard campaign.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Division of the Budget has released a breakdown of the estimated Public Employees Federation layoffs by county. The state has issued 3,496 layoff notices.

Employees in nearly four-dozen agencies are affected. These are the numbers by county:

Albany— 998

Bronx— 49

Broome— 129

Cattaraugus— 8

Cayuga— 14

Chautauqua— 2

Chemung— 34

Clinton— 5

Columbia— 3

Delaware— 7

Dutchess— 115

Erie— 178

Essex— 15

Franklin— 51

Genesee— 12

Greene— 5

Jefferson— 49

Kings— 74

Livingston— 5

Monroe— 184

Nassau— 22

New York— 345

Niagara— 5

Oneida— 86

Onondaga— 227

Orange— 37

Orleans— 7

Otsego— 2

Queens— 87

Rensselaer— 49

Richmond— 129

Rockland— 132

Saratoga— 7

Schenectady— 95

Seneca— 24

St. Lawrence— 51

Steuben— 27

Suffolk— 145

Sullivan— 12

Tompkins— 2

Ulster— 5

Warren— 2

Washington— 8

Wayne— 2

Westchester— 49

Wyoming— 5

Grand Total— 3496

Note: Final actual distribution of position eliminations will vary depending on the application of civil service rules.

The Public Employees Federation just released a statement responding to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s comments on a the Capitol Pressroom radio show today.

This is what Ken Brynien, president of the 56,000-member union of professional, scientific and technical employees, had to say:

“The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is prepared to meet with the state to discuss how we can alter the tentative contract agreement that our members rejected.

“I heard the governor’s willingness to have open communication with us and I am encouraged the governor is willing to hear our ideas. At this time, we see no evidence to suggest that a revote would result in an different outcome.

“We are anxious to discuss with the governor’s negotiators how we can reach an agreement my members are willing to ratify while preserving state services and meeting the savings the state requires.

“Our team remains in place, ready and willing to meet with the governor’s negotiators. We are now in the process of making those arrangements.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, speaking on the Capitol Pressroom radio show today, said he is “open to tweaks” of the Public Employee Federation contract, but not ones that cost the state more money. Earlier this week, the 56,000-member union voted down a tentative five-year contract with the state, prompting the Cuomo administration to send out nearly 3,500 layoff notices.

The Public Employees Federation has asked the governor to re-open negotiations, saying the union has been asked to sacrifice too much. The governor has encouraged union leaders to impress upon members the consequences of their no vote—the layoffs—and hold a re-vote.

He said on the radio show that either PEF members thought he was “bluffing” when he said the state would lay off 3,500 employees if the contract wasn’t adopted, or they are OK with losing 3,500 of their colleagues.

The governor did say that communications are “ongoing,” and the lines of communication are always open.

“The real issue here to me is just the human problem, the human cost, the human toll of 3,500 people losing their jobs,” he told host Susan Arbetter.

Cuomo said the union can’t have everything it wants. The contract does not include raises for the first three years, followed by 2 percent hikes in years four and five. They would have to contribute more to their health insurance and would get furloughs, along with other concessions.

“I don’t have five-year job security. Nobody gets, ‘You will have a job no matter what happens for five years,’” he said.

The governor said he thinks revisiting the Triborough Amendment of the Taylor Law is a “political non-starter.” The amendment ensures that the existing contract stays in effect—unchanged—until a new contract is approved.

The state Department of Motor Vehicle’s decision to allow people renewing their driver’s licenses to “self-certify” their vision is good is being put on hold, according to a source with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration. The change was announced Monday and took effect Wednesday, drawing criticism from many county clerks, who run DMVs for the state in 51 counties, and medical professionals.

The DMV said the rationale for the change in the eye-test requirements is it is trying to move more services online for the convenience of customers, who already self-certify that they don’t have any medical problems that could impair their driving ability, such as hearing loss. Since 2000, motorists had to read an eye chart at the DMV as one of the requirements for getting a new license, or provide a medical certification from a doctor.

A number of county clerks have called on the DMV to reverse its policy, saying it puts public safety at risk.

The DMV did not require the eye test between 1993 and 2000. There are 14 other states that either do not require eye tests for renewals or they allow motorists to self-certify, according to a spokeswoman for the state agency said. They haven’t had a drop in traffic safety, she added.

Another issue county clerks have with allowing people to renew driver’s licenses online is that it will reduce their revenues. If someone renews at a county-run DMV office, the county gets a cut of 12.7 percent, which was put in place because it takes local resources and staff to do the work. With an online system, the state will get all the revenues.

Dr. Michele Lagana, a Rochester-area optometrist, said in a statement that she was concerned the in-0ffice test was being eliminated. “We believe that this change in practice will jeopardize the safety of the driving public, their passengers, pedestrians and licensed drivers themselves,” said Lagana, vice president of the New York State Optometric Association.

Reginald Lafayette, the Democratic elections commissioner and party leader, said he won’t call for any investigation into allegations of elections fraud by Republicans in the District 7 Board of Legislators race.

“I’m not calling for an investigation on myself or the board (of elections),” he told Politics on the Hudson. “It’s over with. The two parties agree.”

Even though Legislator Judy Myers, D-Mamaroneck, won the Independence line over her Republican challenger Suzanna Keith, Democrats called for an investigation into elections fraud after a Republican deputy commissioner and party boss “mysteriously found” three votes.

In a statement issued Thursday, Doug Forand said ballots “don’t just appear from impounded machines.”

“There are only a few plausible ways this can happen, none of which are good,” he said. “And if someone knowingly planted false ballots in a scheme to steal this election, it’s election fraud.”

Lafayette distanced himself from that charge — even though the release was on party letterhead — and later called it an “overzealous action.”

“If they are being paid by the party, they will be terminated,” he said. “Those who sent this without my knowledge won’t be affiliated with the party. … I’m getting to the bottom of this.”

Myers won the line with 75 votes to Keith’s 62. Eleven votes were challenged, though Keith has since conceded.

Democrats are challenging a Republican elections official and party boss who they say “mysteriously found” votes from an impounded machine days after the actual re-count.

Now, even though Legislator Judy Myers won the Independence line against Republican challenger Suzanna Keith in District 7, some Democrats want an investigation to determine exactly what happened.

Republicans say there’s no proof and these accusations are nothing more than an attempt to “muddy the waters.” Even the Democratic Party chair and elections commissioner isn’t supporting the claims.

All the ballots have been accounted for, they say.

“Ballots don’t just appear from impounded machines long after they’ve been examined,” said Doug Forand, a spokesman for the Westchester Democratic Committee, in a statement. “There are only a few plausible ways this can happen, none of which are good.

“And if someone knowingly planted false ballots in a scheme to steal this election, it’s election fraud.”

Democrats say Nancy Meehan, a Republican deputy elections commissioner and chairwoman of the Mount Pleasant Republican Committee “mysteriously found” three votes on Sept. 24, which was three days after the machine was re-canvassed.

But GOP Party Chairman and Republican Elections Commissioner Doug Colety said there’s no mystery: All the ballots have been accounted for and Meehan, in her role as deputy commissioner, is charged with dealing with  those ballots.
“There are no missing ballots,” Colety said. “When you get into close races, all these accusations come out.

“It’s over. Judy Myers won and they were looking for an insurance policy.”

Not all votes go through the machine, Colety added, and in this instance, the ones in question were actually emergency ballots that were in a bag where they were discovered.

“We’re allowed to handle ballots,” he said of elections officials. “This is our job.”

The three in question wouldn’t have turned the race; Myers won the line with 75 votes to Keith’s 62. Eleven votes were challenged, though Keith has since conceded.
The Indepedendence line is generally viewed as an important line to attract independents and non-affiliated voters.

In a release on Westchester County Democratic Committee letterhead, Forand also went after Republican County Executive Rob Astorino, whose Chief of Staff George Oros carried petitions for Keith.
Oros said there’s no substance to these “phony allegations” and that they are an attempt to “muddy the waters.”
Party leader and Democratic elections commissioner, Reginald LaFayette, also distanced himself from the accusations even though it was on party letterhead that had his name on it.

He’s not supporting any investigation.
“As far as I’m concerned this matter is over. Three ballots are not a factor,” he said. “I’m troubled this went out without my approval.”

The Journal News/LoHud.com Editorial Board holds endorsement interviews with candidates in key contests on the Nov. 8 ballot. Voters may watch LIVE online at www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight; questions can be submitted via our CoverItLive live-blogging feature.

The following endorsement hearings are scheduled:
Oct. 4: 1 p.m. Stony Point supervisor
Oct. 4: 3 p.m. Rockland Legislature, Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8
Oct. 5: 1 p.m. Putnam County executive
Oct. 5: 3 p.m. New Rochelle mayor
Oct. 11: 1 p.m. Rockland Legislature, Districts 9, 10 and 11
Oct. 11: 3 p.m. Rockland Legislature, Districts 13, 14, 16 and 17
Oct. 12: 1 p.m. Westchester Board of Legislators, Districts 1, 2 and 3
Oct. 12: 3 p.m. Westchester Board of Legislators, Districts 4, 5, 6 and 7
Oct. 18: 1 p.m. Clarkstown supervisor
Oct. 18: 3 p.m. Orangetown supervisor
Oct. 19: 1 p.m., Westchester Board of Legislators, Districts 9, 10, 12 and 13
Oct. 19: 3 p.m., Westchester Board of Legislators, Districts 14, 15 and 17
Oct. 25: 1 p.m. Rockland County Sheriff
Oct. 25: 3 p.m. Ramapo supervisor
Oct. 26: 1 p.m. Yonkers mayor
Oct. 26: 3 p.m. Mount Vernon mayor

Interviews for Westchester and Putnam candidates take place in our White Plains office, 1 Gannett Drive. Interviews for Rockland candidates take place in our West Nyack office, 1 Crosfield Ave. Candidates needing more information can contact Nancy Cutler at ncutler@lohud.com or 845-578-2403.

Voters guide
The 2011 local elections determine who represents you on the county, town and village level. Visit www.lohud.com/candidates to find out who’s running, and where the candidates stand on the issues.

Calling all candidates
The Journal News and LoHud.com wish to hear from candidates vying in local Westchester, Rockland and Putnam elections.

Please send us an email including your full name, home address, daytime phone number and an active email address to elections@lohud.com. In both the subject line and body of the email, be sure to indicate which office you are vying for. The information will be used by our news and opinion staffs to contact and correspond with candidates. Additionally, the email address will be used to send candidates a questionnaire that will form the basis of an online guide for voters.

Updated at 4:36 p.m. with statement from Cuomo’s spokesman.

Fresh off a definitive rejection of a tentative contract struct with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, the state’s second-largest public employees union says they’re prepared to present “new ideas” that would cut costs but have the support of their members.

The Public Employees Federation rejected a 5-year labor deal earlier this week by a 54-46 margin that would have froze wages for three years and increased health care contributions, but would have protected against layoffs.

Since then, the Cuomo administration has said it plans to send out 3,496 layoff notices to members, with the bulk of notices going out on Tuesday.

PEF President Ken Brynien said the union thinks they have the answer.

“The New York State Public Employees Federation is prepared to present to the state new ideas which we believe will lead to a tentative contract agreement that will meet everyone’s needs and our members will ratify,” Brynien said today in a statement. “Although the governor has said he will not change the state’s proposal we remain hopeful we can reach an agreement. The next few days will be critical as we try to preserve state services while meeting the savings the state requires.”

The Cuomo administration, however, doesn’t appear to be willing to renegotiate.

“PEF has known their options for months,” Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said in an e-mail. “It was and is their choice and we are moving forward.”

Cuomo’s Director of State Operations Howard Glaser earlier this week placed the blame on PEF’s leadership, saying that Brynien and company didn’t do a good enough job explaining the contract or the consequences of rejection to its members.

He called for a re-vote on the tentative deal, while PEF said it wants to go back to the bargaining table.