CSEA slams Cuomo for Tier VI, redistricting deal

Danny Donohue, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, ripped Gov. Andrew Cuomo this morning for a deal struck overnight that would trade legislative redistricting lines for the governor's Tier VI pension reform plan.

Here's Donohue's statement:

"Tier 6 shoved down the throat of state legislators fixated on their own self-preservation, will be devastating to 99 percent of New Yorkers. This deal is about politicians standing with the 1 percent – the wealthiest New Yorkers – to give them a better break while telling nurses, bus drivers, teachers, secretaries, and laborers to put up and shut up."

Donohue said Cuomo's tax deal, which passed late last year, provides a tax break for the wealthiest New Yorkers "that exceeds the pensions of most working people." He also claims there are no immediate savings under Cuomo's Tier VI plan, and that savings won't kick in for another decade.

"Regardless of the governor's glib talking points, New Yorkers should understand that this deal did not result from meaningful debate and good judgment – it resulted from political expediency – and it will have harmful consequences to people and communities now and for a long time to come. No good will come from this."