Game of Chicken over Nassau police contracts?

From Vivifychangecatalyst.wordpress.com

It sure looks like Nassau's financial control board is holding up approval of at least one -- and perhaps two -- new police union contracts to pressure the Republican majority on the county legislature to approve the board's proposed refinancing of $473 million in existing county debt.

Such a large refinancing by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority would help the county alleviate revenue losses from the coronavirus pandemic.

It also would give County Executive Laura Curran a big cash cushion for next year's county budget when she runs for re-election and for her 2022 budget, which she is required to submit right before the November 2021 election.

But county financial consultants say the refinancing will ultimately cost Nassau tens of millions of dollars more to pay off that much borrowing over another 15 years, including the costs of extending NIFA oversight into the next generation of county taxpayers.

It's ironic because the state created NIFA in 2000 to end Nassau's habit of borrowing to pay current expenses while pushing the debt onto future taxpayers.

So far, Republicans have urged a smaller refinancing by the county and refused to approve a "declaration of need" required for NIFA to move forward with its plan.

But Republicans also traditionally support police. Holding up police contracts would put pressure on Republicans to agree to NIFA's plan.   

What are the two contracts? 

One is for the county's Superior Officers Association, signed and ratified by the union in September.

The other is a deal that sources say was inked this week for the Police Benevolent Association, and approved by the PBA board on Tuesday night.

The PBA deal, for its near 1,600 members, is alleged to be similar to the agreement for the SOA's 347 members. The SOA contract calls for members to wear body cameras in return for a $3,000 annual stipend. The SOA agreement also would raise member's pay by 15 percent over its eight year term, from Jan. 2018 through June 2025.

PBA members are grumbling about their proposed contract, even passing around a semi-pornographic internet meme about the deal between Curran and the union leadership. 

But SOA members also were initially unhappy with their contract before they voted three to one to ratify it in September.

When Nassau Republicans questioned on Monday why Curran wanted emergency approval of the two-month-old SOA deal, her administration replied that the contract needed to get to NIFA by its Tuesday night meeting.

"The reason we're asking for an emergency," said Curran Deputy Tatum Fox, "The contract still needs to be approved by NIFA. The (county) comptroller needs time to implement the health care contribution savings which kick in on Jan. 1."

Fox continued, "I understand NIFA is meeting tomorrow...and if we waited until the next legislative calendar...that pushes us past the NIFA meeting. Rather than chance losing significant savings from health care contributions, we asked this be heard today."

But NIFA didn't even consider the SOA agreement in its public session on Tuesday. 

So much for an emergency.

NIFA also didn't approve Curran's 2021 budget, which assumes the refinancing.

Which side will swerve first?

Meanwhile, some Democrats are not happy with approving any contract before community groups can recommend changes in county policing. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has mandated police reform by next April or lose state funding. Three Democratic lawmakers said they couldn't approve a contract that does not include community-recommended reforms.

Legis. Arnold Drucker (D-Plainview) asked SOA president Rick Frassetti, five times on Monday if he was "prepared to commit on behalf of your members to embrace these reforms" even though no specifics have been submitted.

Frassetti responded, "I think its obvious our commitment is already there by showing that we have body cameras in the contract.…We are further committed to reform. I can't comment on what you're asking exactly because I don't know what you're talking about."

Drucker voted in favor of the deal. Democratic Legis. Carrie Solages of Elmont, Kevan Abrahams of Freeport and Siela Bynoe of Westbury voted no.