ALBANY, N.Y. — A new bill introduced in the NYS Assembly would require utilities to automatically suspend shutoffs and waive late fees for state employees who are subject to a payroll freeze when the state budget is not passed by April 1st.
But News10NBC Investigative Reporter Jennifer Lewke found that typically, the only people not getting paid when lawmakers can’t agree on a budget are the lawmakers themselves.
The bill is called the “Automatic Utility Deferment Act.” It was introduced by Assembly Member Larinda Hooks, a democrat from Queens, on Friday.
It would require all regulated utility providers to automatically suspend termination of service and waive late payment penalties for covered employees for the duration of the deferment period. Covered employees include all individuals on the New York State payroll, including state agency employees, legislative staff, and elected officials.
Assembly Member Andrea Bailey (R) Geneseo: “The only ones who aren’t receiving a paycheck are the 213 legislators.”
Jennifer Lewke (News10NBC): “So, just so I understand, when there is no budget, the only people who aren’t getting paid are the people who are technically responsible for passing said budget?”
Assembly Member Andrea Bailey: “Absolutely, so long as the extenders pass.”
The NYS Legislature has passed seven budget extenders this year alone, a temporary measure that keeps all other state employees paid while budget negotiations continue. Typically, that is how the legislature does business when the budget is late. Which means, the only people not getting a check, who would qualify for this proposed deferment, are elected lawmakers.
News10NBC has reached out to Assembly Member Hook’s office via email and phone for the past two days to discuss the legislation and has not heard back.
Assembly Member Andrea Bailey: “The first thing that came to mind, honestly Jennifer is the calls that have come into the office from folks that say, “Andrea I don’t know what I’m going to do my electric bill doubled, it tripled,”… I have been helping small businesses, seniors, single moms, families, farmers so, it’s impacting everybody and if I were one of those folks, looking on the outside looking in, it’s kind of a slap in the face. If we can find a way to carve out and make something a little bit easier for us, I think we should be able looking at ways to make something easier for every resident across New York State not just 213 folks here in Albany.”
The bill was introduced on Friday.
The post News10NBC Investigates: New bill proposes utility payment deferrals and late fee waivers for lawmakers during budget delays appeared first on WHEC.com.
