New York Gov. Hochul tanks police pensions after unions take aim at crime record

ALBANY, NY - New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state's largest police union are at odds after the former vetoed legislation that would've buffed pension benefits for officers employed by the state.

Hochul vetoed Senate Bill S8472A on Friday. The law would've established a 20 year retirement threshold for law enforcement officers employed by the state- a change from the 25 year requirement currently in effect. The governor cited the budgetary impacts of the pension upgrade in shooting down the measure, according to the Gothamist.

This isn't the first time the governor spiked the proposal. Hochul and her predecessor, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, vetoed identical proposals four different times in the past five years. Hochul pointed to the costs of the measure in referencing why the proposal had consistently failed to become law.

“This bill has been vetoed four times over the past five years because this pension enhancement would impose substantial unbudgeted costs on the state," the Democrat said of the idea in a message explaining the veto.

As Hochul vetoes the legislation- supporters of law enforcement in the state are taking aim at Hochul's record on public safety.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State, which represents 1,100 officers across the state, paid for the display of billboards in location across the state drawing attention to Hochul's lukewarm relationship with law enforcement. The billboards were erected last week.

"Help wanted! Our streets are less safe today. New Governor needed," the billboards, displayed in Buffalo, Albany, and Long Island read.
 

“While the governor pays lip service to public safety, her actions in supporting the brave officers who stand between danger and the public come up far short,” union president Jim McCartney said of the billboards in a statement touting their display.

There's no direct evidence to suggest Hochul's veto and the billboard campaign are related.

"What is plain to see is that Governor Hochul is no friend of law enforcement and only pays lip service when it comes to being pro labor," McCartney said of the veto.

New York State Sen. Robert Jackson pointed to the veto as an act that would undermine critical state law enforcement officers.

“This bill was critical to ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to protecting our public lands, natural resources, and state university campuses have the retirement equity they deserve."

“The veto of this bill not only undermines the efforts of our state's law enforcement officers but also jeopardizes the safety and security of the public spaces under their watch. We must prioritize the well-being and fair compensation of those who serve with such commitment.”