July 14, 2009

Senate bill watch

Here are some bills to watch when the state Senate returns to Albany Wednesday for a brief session.

The Senate's third-reading calendar includes these bills approved by the Assembly:

• A7282-Abbate/S3718-Savino: Lowers retirement age for certain employees of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, costing $100,000 a year. The bill comes shortly after the state bailed out the TBTA's parent organization, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

• A7173-Abbate/S4801-Savino: Requires a hearing before demoting a State Police investigator--a noncompetitive position--with three years of experience. Investigators are appointees of State Police superintendent. Vetoed in 1999, 2004 and 2007.

• A8330-Abbate/S5548-Savino: Extends rights of disciplinary hearings and layoff protections to noncompetive and labor-class employees with one year of service.

Two other bills on Wednesday's third-reading calendar--still in Assembly committee--would give public employee unions greater leverage under the Taylor Law.

• A5858-Espaillat/S3892-Savino: Requires government employer to pay 50 percent of a union's lost dues if the union proves that extreme provocation by the employer caused it to engage in an illegal strike. (Assembly: Codes Committee.)

• A8425-Abbate/S5542-Savino: Makes it easier to seek injunctive relief when is cases of improper practices involving collective bargaining agreements. (Assembly: Rules Committee.)

Posted by Lise Bang-Jensen

« Previous | Main | Next »