Never before in the history of New York have civil servants been promised health benefits when they retired — in many cases after 40 years of service — only to have those benefits abruptly withdrawn just when they need them the most.
The state Legislature unanimously passed a bill in 2011 that would restore health benefits to almost 900 New York City OTB retirees and their families. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in his veto of the bill in September 2011, "OTB's retirees, who had expected that these vital benefits would be provided to them upon retirement, were left out in the cold and unprotected. I understand that several hundred retirees may not have health insurance that they worked hard for and that time is of the essence." He went on to say the bill hadn't addressed how to pay for the proposal.
The Legislature passed a second bill. Then, in December 2012, the governor vetoed this second bill, stating, "The budget process begins in the next few weeks. The expenditure of money to serve 'this worthy goal' should be considered as part of that process." In his proposed $137 billion state budget, Cuomo has not included one dime toward "this worthy goal."
Voters in the future would be wise to take note of the disconnect between what he says on one hand and what he does on the other.
MICHAEL SCANLON
Brooklyn