LEGISLATURE STUFF - Political and Legal Malaise

CATSKILL - Applying the word “shocking” to describe an executive order issued by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, opposition to the decree is being officially expressed by the Greene County Legislature.

Lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution beseeching the Governor to “immediately reverse her decision” related to the recent strike by Corrections Officers statewide.

Governor Hochul signed the order prohibiting fired Corrections Officers who refused to cross picket lines from getting hired by local jails.

More than 2,000 CO’s were cut loose after the 22-day work stoppage ended, last week, now resulting in a legal furor.

Governor Hochul, in her edict stated, “no New York State agency shall hire or appoint any individual who was previously employed by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision [DOCCS] and thereafter separated from such employment in connection with such individuals’ participation in the illegal and unlawful strike.”

The executive order, which runs through April 9, has been countered by a State Supreme Court lawsuit filed by Chemung County.

That lawsuit claims the executive order creates, “a permanent blacklist of unionized individuals involved in the strike” and “immediately declassifies them as peace officers, nullifying the training they successfully completed as a prerequisite to employment as peace officers.”

Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden, precluding the county legislature’s resolution, stated the executive order, “is illegal and is really meant as punitive recourse by the governor, to deny people a right to future employment.”

County lawmakers concurred, led by Government Operations committee chairman Greg Davis who offered the local resolution, characterizing it as staggering to local government sensibilities.

“Governor Hochul issued Executive Order No. 47.3, that temporarily suspends or modifies Civil Service Law, County Law, Municipal Home Rule Law, Correction Law and Criminal Procedure Law to “Prohibit the appointment, transfer and promotion of any individual previously employed by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision employees,” the resolution states.

“The Greene County Jail and Corrections Officers have for decades provided for the care and custody of persons awaiting trial, convicts, and others, but has in recent years experienced significant staffing shortages which strain the facility’s remaining workforce,” the resolution states. 

Those workers, “nonetheless diligently and commendably endeavor to maintain the safe and secure operation of the Correctional Facility and thereby protect and serve the public,” the resolution states.

“In a time when local governments, including Greene County, are grappling

with severe staffing shortages and the need for qualified, experienced personnel, Governor Hochul’s executive order only exacerbates the crisis,” the resolution states.

“It is unthinkable and outrageous that, in the same breath that she [pushed] for second chances through the Clean Slate Act, she is denying those who have devoted their careers to public service the chance to continue their

work and support their families,” the resolution states.

“Leadership means standing up for workers, not abandoning them to serve

political expediency,” the resolution states.

“[Greene County] Sheriff [Pete] Kusminsky and Corrections Superintendent Ray Shanley have dedicated their careers to law enforcement and have made it clear that such actions are damaging to the morale of law enforcement officers and public servants locally and statewide,” the resolution states.

“We, the members of the Greene County Legislature, hereby strongly oppose Governor Hochul’s Executive Order No. 47.3.

“We urge her to reconsider this ill-conceived order and immediately reverse her decision,” the resolution states.

“Greene County stands with our correction officers, law enforcement, and all public servants who deserve our respect and support and we ask that

Governor Hochul listens to the voices of local leaders and take the necessary actions to right this wrong,” the resolution states.