By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-880397.mp3
Albany, NY – New York's second-largest state-employee union is calling on the state to reduce reliance on consultants, as we hear in this report from WAMC's Dave Lucas.
The Public Employees Federation has been critical of the use of consultants, especially during these troubled economic times. Now PEF is out with a report entitled "The Tip of the Iceberg" - in which the union reveals its plan which would save New York 656-Million dollars over three years. PEF President Kenneth Brynien says if half the consultants that are in place now are replaced by state employees, even considering all of their benefits, New York would save 375 Million Dollars a year.
Larry Schwartz, who is Secretary to Governor David Paterson, says he is disappointed with PEF's report, in which the union also cites examples of irresponsible uncontrolled spending by some state agencies, a complete disregard of state law by others, and sloppy and incomplete record keeping by many.