© 2024 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State's Biggest Union Weighs in on Budget Debate

By Chris Ulanowski

Albany, NY – The state's largest public employees union is getting out in front in the debate over the state budget.

New York is facing a budget deficit which could be as high as 10 billion dollars.

Civil Services Employees Association spokesman Stephen Madarasz says his union is worried that members will become "scapegoats" in budget deliberations.

He's scared that state employees will not get the pay raise they've been asking for.

CSEA says the state should make prescription drug price reform a priority. The union says New York could save over 400 million dollars annually in Medicaid costs.

The union is also asking the state to hold off on scheduled tax cuts.