On November 13th, Governor Cuomo once again vetoed the "Special Optional Twenty Year Retirement Bill" for County Correction Officers. While stating that he supports us and recognizes our role in Law Enforcement and Public Safety, he said that he has repeatedly vetoed these Bills because they offer additional Pension benefits without any funding. This was the same statement he made last year when he vetoed the bill back then. Every County Correction Union has voiced their opposition to this argument since the Bill is an "opt in" Bill that would first require the State to approve, then each individual County would have to "opt in", then negotiate with Unions on how to fund their budgets to provide the benefit. We do not understand why the Governor has repeated this reasoning for vetoing the bill since the funding issue has been explained implicitly. A more reasonable explanation would be that this increase in Pension benefits to us would create a wave of other public employees demanding a similar benefit. Something the Governor does not want to have to address.

Unfortunately, the beat goes on with this issue. We will continue to work with Unions throughout the State on a way to propose a 20 year bill that is clearly defined and funded.

Additionally,  we will continue to seek legislation that will enhance our current 25 year retirement, to provide a benefit that would not require us to wait until a minimum of 30 yrs of service and age 55.

Remember, in today's fiscal climate, any pension enhancers require a heavy lift in Albany.

Below I have attached the Governor's Veto Memo.

Brian Sullivan, COBA President