Mayor Bloomberg yesterday called on Gov. Cuomo to push the state Legislature to include the mayor’s proposals for a pension overhaul as part of a new state-budget package.
The hope is that the lawmakers would then be forced to take up the contentious reforms. Cuomo has already ruled out that strategy, saying that he wants to get the budget out of the way first, but that didn’t deter the mayor.
“He wants to address it, I think it’s fair to say, later on, and I think it would be better in the budget bill,” Bloomberg said. “[Former Gov. David] Paterson played chicken, and the Legislature blinked — and I think they would do it again.”
The mayor plans to visit Albany Monday, and said he would try to persuade the governor to see things his way.
“The budget bill is the one bill that will pass no matter what’s in it,” Bloomberg said, since legislators won’t risk endangering funding for programs popular in their home districts.
Bloomberg this week called on labor unions and state law makers to consider sweeping changes to pensions for city labor unions, including eliminat ing overtime pay in calculating pen sion payouts and raising the age when retirement benefits kick in for some city workers.
But mayoral aides explained that career cops and firefighters would still be able to retire with full pensions after 22 years of service under the city’s proposed reforms, and wouldn’t have to wait until they’re 65 to collect.
That retirement age would apply only to civilian employees, they added.
The battle for pension reform will be a tough sell in Albany, where unions have strong ties to lawmakers. Under the current system, Albany has final say over the city’s pension programs, but Bloomberg wants to shift that authority back to the city.
City officials hope the time is right to win some pension reforms, what with Cuomo enjoying widespread popular support for his push to close the state’s $10 billion deficit.
Meanwhile, the governor has said he agrees with pension reform for city and state workers, but he will begin that effort only after a spending plan has been passed.
