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CO union snipes at Cuomo’s ‘radical agenda’ in TV ads

ALBANY — The union for state corrections officers is accusing Gov. Andrew Cuomo of pampering convicted felons while allowing schoolchildren to go without resources needed for their education.

The sharp attack leveled at Cuomo in a campaign of statewide television and radio commercials comes amid a contract dispute between the state and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

A spokesman for the union said it is spending “six figures” in launching its message, dubbed “Citizens for the Protection of NY,” but declined to give a more precise figure.

A digital video release by the union features a woman’s voice taking exception to Cuomo’s performance as governor: “In New York state, our classrooms are overcrowded and outdated,” she states.

“Instead of taking care of our children, the governor’s radical agenda takes care of criminals.”

Tablets for inmates

The blistering criticism suggests that relations between the union and Cuomo have soured even as the governor has pointed to a string of endorsements from other labor organizations in the weeks before New York’s Sept. 13 primary election.

That is when he faces Cynthia Nixon, an advocate for public schoolchildren who will also be on the Democratic ballot and has already secured the support of the Working Families Party, backed by a coalition of progressive groups.

The ad specifically knocks the Cuomo administration’s decision to eventually distribute “luxury” electronic tablets to most inmates.

The Cuomo administration punched back, maintaining the union simply wants to shield members who sexually assault and beat inmates. It argues that the tablets will help deter felons from becoming repeat offenders.

“It costs taxpayers nearly $60,000 to house each individual in the system per year, so passing reforms that will reduce recidivism should be praised — not criticized,” said Cuomo spokeswoman Dani Lever.

She added: “The only political agenda desperately on display in these ads is that of NYSCOPBA, which is trying to negotiate its contract and attempting to deflect from the fact that it wants to protect those individuals who rape and assault prisoners.”

Lives at risk

Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay, a former correction officer, called Lever’s suggestion that the union wants to shield rapists in their ranks “simply deplorable.

“As a longtime member of NYSCOBPA,” he said in a statement Thursday, “I had the privilege to work with many upstanding officers and civilians who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe.

“The Governor’s Office is trying to detract attention away from the fact that they would rather spend money giving convicted felons tablets, a luxury most of our school children do not even have, rather than ensure that the members of NYSCOPBA are given a fair wage.

“We need to recognize that our corrections officers put their lives at risk every day and the union which represents them is working hard to continue to find new avenues that minimize the risk of their duties, keep them, and our communities, safe while making sure they are properly compensated.”

He called on Lever to “issue a prompt apology.”

Growing frustration

Meanwhile, Jones argued, the state has yet to make a “fair” contract offer to NYSCOPBA.

The assemblyman told the Press-Republican that as part of Cuomo’s executive budget earlier this year, the governor sought to make it easier to fire correction officers. But Jones said he and other lawmakers concerned about due-process rights for state employees successfully blocked the proposal.

There has also been growing frustration among correction officers sparked by the state’s efforts to “weaken” the disciplinary system for combative inmates, said Joe Miano, western regional vice president for NYSCOPBA.

“The conditions in the facilities are becoming absolutely deplorable,” Miano said.

He also suggested that support for Cuomo among unions is not as strong as some press releases suggest.

“In reality, he is not standing with labor,” Miano said. “He is attacking labor.”

Parole Board

The spokesman for the Cuomo-controlled prison agency said no date has been set yet for the distribution of the tablets.

NYSCOPBA also called for the state parole board to be “fixed” following its recent decisions to release two men convicted of murdering police officers in the 1970s, Herman Bell and Robert Hayes.

The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision houses a total of 49,300 inmates at 54 facilities, according to the agency’s July 1 snapshot of its prisoner population.

Editor Suzanne Moore contributed to this report.

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