E.J. McMahon debated former state Assemblyman Richard Brodsky last night on a segment of “Capital Tonight.”
The lead up to this debate includes Governor Cuomo’s proposed modifications to the pension system in New York (including his proposal for an optional defined-contribution system), our paper released last week on the same subject and PEF president Ken Brynien’s recent comment that, “If the governor’s going to put something in the budget that’s unreasonable, maybe it should be shut down.”
The debate really gets going when Brodsky says, “E.J. is starting with wrecking the current sytem, instead of curbing the abuses and that’s where I differ with him.”
E.J. responds, “It does not wreck the current system, it does not hurt the current system in any way — that’s a fact. People who say that it does are just wrong. We have our major pension systems in New York… are quote, unquote fully funded. That means what it says, it means that if people don’t go into those systems they’re not being deprived of funds.
Opponents seem to have developed an incredibly selective memory when it comes to the optional part of this plan.
About the Author
You may also like
Emails show Cuomo’s staff working on his memoir at the peak of New York’s pandemic
Newly available records shed further light on the origins of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pandemic memoir, which won him a $5.1 million publishing contract before contributing to his political downfall.
The records reveal that his government staff were a Read More
Utility board turns into union tool
The idea that the PSC would artificially drive electricity costs higher to benefit a political constituency represents a new low. Read More
Hochul’s Pandemic Study Is Off to an Underwhelming Start
Although Governor Hochul's long-promised review of New York's COVID response hasn't formally started yet, it has already exposed important information about the state's pandemic preparedness – much of which is unflattering. Read More
New Docs Raise Big Questions About NY’s Megafab Mega-Deal
The Hochul Administration published a pair of documents concerning the Micron Megafab deal that raise more questions than they answer. Read More
City union scandal isn’t NY’s first
One of New York City’s largest public-sector unions has been effectively taken over by its national parent after an audit revealed extensive financial mismanagement. It’s the latest example of misconduct made possible under New York’s public-sector collective bargaining rules that force the government to collect hundreds of millions of dollars annually without any safeguards on how the funds are spent. Read More
Firefighter-rights bill torches local control
Two of Albany’s most-vetoed concepts are headed toward Governor Hochul’s desk, this time concealed as a “firefighter bill of rights.” Read More
Still-Unreleased Union Deal Rains Cash on State Workers
The still-unreleased deal between the Hochul Administration and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), state government’s largest group of unionized workers, would award bonuses, backpay, and guaranteed raises the next three years, documents sent to union members show. Read More
Answers needed on Governor Hochul’s health-care budget
The health-care agenda laid out by Governor Hochul in her budget proposal this week leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Here are a few of them. Read More
Enjoying our work? Sign up for email alerts on our latest news and research.