Steve Levy

David Winzelberg of this paper wrote a revealing expose’ on how taxpayer dollars are being wasted through an archaic state reimbursement system utilized for school district purchases through the BOCES purchasing consortium. He cited numerous examples where taxpayers wound up paying several hundred dollars more for a desk simply because it was purchased through BOCES, thereby making districts eligible for state reimbursement. A district that would otherwise purchase a desk for $700 through a competitive bid would instead pay $1000 through BOCES, knowing that $400 would come back in the form of reimbursement. The net amount expended by the district is less going through BOCES than had they bought the cheaper desk directly. Nevertheless, our state tax dollars are veered toward reimbursement for a more expensive product.

We can do better. The Center for Cost Effective Government, for which I serve as Executive Director, is teaming up with State Senator Phil Boyle to draft legislation that would provide state reimbursement to the lower bid, regardless of whether it went through BOCES. This would continue to give the district a reimbursement it presently enjoys, while sparing the state taxpayers from having to subsidize a more expensive product. Meanwhile those more competitive vendors will prosper.

It is incredible that statewide inertia has allowed this ridiculous concept to continue. Kudos to the Business News for making Long Islanders aware of the problem and to Senator Boyle for seeking to reform the reimbursement process.

The Center is also working with Senator Lee Zeldin to deal with outrageous superintendent pensions — some reaching $27,000 MONTHLY! We also need legislation to ensure neither sick or vacation pay, nor overtime incurred by those eligible, should be factored into one’s pension calculations. And an end must come to cases such as an east end village police official getting a $400,000 severance check for unused sick and vacation time. Changes should also require a contribution from those receiving health benefits.

Some will some say the state Constitution prevents changes to these terms except for those hired prospectively, meaning we’ll continue to pay $100-$200,000 annual pensions, and nearly half a million dollar severance payouts, to management and civil servants for decades to come. Others disagree, claiming these are not basic terms of a pension and can be changed even for current employees. Something must be done. If it means modifying the constitution, so be it. Let’s get it done.

And if all else fails, let’s welcome control hoards that provide the legal authorization to immediately change the terms of these contracts that are driving our localities to bankruptcy. It’s commendable that New York State has lowered the rate of its increase in spending, but if we are to afford to live here, we need a leader to provide the meaningful changes noted above.

Steve Levy is Executive Director of Center for Cost Effective Government. He served as Suffolk County Executive 2004-2011, and as a NYS Assemblyman