March 5, 2025 — In 2025, the federal government is firing workers and slashing services in what they say is an attempt to shrink the size of government spending and save money for the country and taxpayers. Thirty years ago, New York State politicians tried to do much the same thing.
In 1995, Governor George Pataki proposed a multi-year tax-cut that put state workers and essential services in the crosshairs. The governor’s proposal aimed to reduce the state workforce by 5% with many services centered around infectious diseases, civil engineers, and research scientists under threat. It also meant the potential closure of hospitals serving patients with mental health needs. The tax cuts benefited wealthy New Yorkers, while providing little financial relief to middle income families.
In response, state workers, community leaders, educators and even their students rallied and protested the threat to jobs and the services public employees provide to everyday New Yorkers.
Then PEF President James Sheedy launched a “Fight Back” campaign, which focused on delivering the truth about the Executive Budget proposal.
“PEF’s analysis shows that virtually every proposed cut in every state agency will produce a similar result: less service to the public, more risk to public safety and a shift to more costs to local property taxpayers,” said Sheedy. “Every PEF member must be part of the ‘truth-in-budgeting’ lobbying effort.”
In the end, PEF and its allies saved a lot of jobs and services. Several positions at the State Education Department were saved, the State approved millions of dollars to keep its alcoholism-treatment facilities open, and continued to fund counseling programs for troubled youth.
“Our members and legislative staff did an incredible job of blunting state budget blows this year,” said Sheedy at the time.
Gov. Pataki did succeed in cutting some budgets, but overall State spending rose by about 2 percent that year.
Today, PEF and its parent unions, AFT and SEIU, are engaging with citizens across the country to reveal the impact of proposed federal cuts on vital public services. If you’re a PEF member who delivers services to New Yorkers who stand to be impacted by a reduction in federal funding at your agency, please get in touch via Communicator@pef.org so we can share your story.