Albany, N.Y. – The New York State Public Employees Federation endorsed the reelection campaigns of Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Dec. 10 at their Executive Board meeting. The PEF Executive Board voted overwhelmingly to accept the recommendations of the union’s Statewide Political Action Committee.
“Majority Leader Schumer came through when New Yorkers needed it most, delivering tens of billions of dollars in relief to the State and saving thousands of jobs in the economic wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “He has always been there for the workers I represent, and we will be there for him on Election Day in 2022.”
Sen. Schumer was instrumental to the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, which staved off the 10% across-the-board cuts proposed by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in his 2020 executive budget. That money has been critical to meet the state’s operational needs and is helping address many of the public health challenges caused by the pandemic. Sen. Schumer also led the charge to secure billions more for New York as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will repair bridges and highways across the state as well as help deliver broadband to rural areas.
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli earned PEF’s endorsement for his steadfast management of the third largest pension plan in the country.
“More than one million current and former state and municipal workers rely on the fund to pay promised and future benefits,” said PEF Vice President Randi DiAntonio, who chairs the union’s Statewide Political Action Committee. “Comptroller DiNapoli is the sole trustee of that plan and is managing the investments in a sound and responsible way, including divesting from fossil fuels while making prudent short- and long-term investments in sustainable energy companies.”
Both Sen. Schumer and Comptroller DiNapoli have supported organized labor throughout their careers in public office. They are true partners with PEF when it comes to legislating and policy-making, meeting often with elected PEF leaders and members and seeking labor’s input whenever appropriate. They have truly earned the endorsement of the New York State Public Employees Federation.