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ALBANY - Overtime costs at state agencies in New York increased 5.5% last year as COVID-19 put some departments into high gear to address the pandemic, records showed.
Overtime surged in particular at the state Department of Labor as it grappled with an unprecedented rise in unemployment claims last year. Overtime jumped nearly $25 million in 2020 at the labor department compared to 2019, accounting for 56% of the total overtime increase at state agencies last year.
Additionally, 15 state workers each raked in more than $150,000 in overtime last year in most cases more than doubling their base salaries, the records from the state Comptroller s Office obtained by the USA TODAY Network New York through a Freedom of Information request showed.
These New York state workers earned $150,000 or more in OT last year eveningtribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eveningtribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
ALBANY - State lawmakers are considering an early retirement program this year for public workers and educators.
The powerful state teachers union is supporting an early retirement that would apply to public employees who are age 55 or older with 10 years of public service or employees, regardless of age, with 25 years of service.
One bill, sponsored by two Westchester state lawmakers, would make early retirement available to those whose employers deem can have their positions eliminated.
It would cover public employees in the state retirement systems, including those for state and municipal workers and educators.
Members of the police and fire retirement systems were not included in the measure because of their existing 20- and 25-year retirement options, according to the bill s Democratic sponsors Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Tom Abinanti.
New York State Team
ALBANY - New York appears to be moving closer to banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at retail pet stores.
The state Legislature s agriculture committees passed the measure this week, moving it toward getting the full chambers approval after years of stalling at the state Capitol.
The law would end so-called puppy mills and instead put a focus on saving rescue animals.
“With so many good animals in need of rescue, there is no need for puppy mills that abuse animals to supply pet stores. Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities,” Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, D-Queens, the bill s sponsor, said in a statement.
New York City hopes to fully reopen July 1 and lift COVID restrictions wellsvilledaily.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wellsvilledaily.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.