Updates from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer - 2022-04-01

NYSTPBA Newsletter Updates from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer In Memoriam Pennsylvania State Trooper Martin Mack III was laid to rest yesterday and Trooper Branden T. Sisca’s funeral is tomorrow. Trooper Mack left behind his wife and two small daughters and Trooper Sisca’s wife is 7 months pregnant with their first child. The NYSTPBA Signal 30 Benefit Fund made a sizable donation to both families, as did the National Troopers Coalition. If anyone is interested in donating to help these grieving families, please follow the link below, which is for the charity of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association. Donations | Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation I am also saddened to announce the passing of retired Maj. Rod Covington, who lost his battle to 9/11 cancer yesterday. He was 62 years old and had retired in 2008. Shame on You! Follow Up It appears as though we got the attention of Cortlandt Town Justice Kimberly Ragazzo (and probably a lot of other judges) who had the audacity to release a defendant on his recognizance after being charged with assaulting a Trooper. Well at his arraignment on Monday, our infamous failed criminal justice major was held on $5,000 bail. Apparently Judge Ragazzo got the message. NYS Budget is in a Discernibly Turgid State We will have a late budget, but it still may be timely as I’m hearing that the moving parts of government are coming to somewhat of a resolution on a number of items. Things will come into focus better next week regarding the Governor’s reforming bail reform plan and any tweaks to Tier 6. Paychecks Comptroller Tom DiNapoli stated that the budget would need to be passed by Monday, April 4, to avoid disruptions in the state payroll. Those of us who have been on the job for over 10 years will remember that a late New York state budget was the norm rather than the exception before Governor Cuomo took office. Under Governor Pataki, the New York State Legislature didn’t pass the 2001-2002 budget until that August. During my career, we may have had a day or two delay in receiving our pay, but we’ve never gone without a paycheck. When a budget is late, a budget extender is signed so state government can continue operations. Quote of the Week “The governor is being absolutely ridiculous, in my opinion, with … the number of things she’s thrown at us at the last minute, which gets in the way of other things that we wanted to focus on. Now we’re talking about bail nonstop, we’re talking about 485-w, we’re talking about the Bills stadium. We had other things we wanted to talk about, and now we’re just doing this." - Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn), a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America. What the hell do you want to focus on? Oh yes, defund the police. This Week’s Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us  I’ve rather enjoyed the Chris Rock-Will Smith memes this week. Far better than the Lia Thomas-women’s sports ones. However, nothing can replace the good old days of two years ago when Wood dominated meme sharing. I can’t look at a bag of Cheez Doodles the same again.  Siena Poll Here are some takeaways from a recent Siena poll – · 56% of voters say bail reform law has been bad for NY · 64% of voters think that the bail reforms resulted in the increase in crime · 82% of those surveyed believe judges should be given more discretion over whether to impose bail on a defendant. Now, we just need our lawmakers to take notice. de·lu·sion·al- characterized by or holding idiosyncratic beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder. The Siena poll also revealed that if former Gov. Andrew Cuomo runs in the Democratic primary, Gov. Kathy Hochul has the support of 38% of Democrats, compared to 30% for Cuomo. Denial - failure to acknowledge an unacceptable truth or emotion or to admit it into consciousness, used as a defense mechanism. In the same poll,only 33% of registered Democrats wanted Cuomo to actually run in the primary, and only 32% thought he did not sexually harass multiple women. Quote of the Week "The more @andrewcuomo tries to make a comeback the more the world gets to see who he really is: A narcissistic bully who can’t stand not being in the spotlight." - Janice Dean, a Fox News meteorologist and a critic of his nursing home policies after the death of her in-laws to COVID in New York nursing homes. CBA As a reminder, the numbers below will become effective on April 1, 2022 as per the current collective bargaining agreement. Note that due to our illustrious payroll lag system, Members can expect to see these increases in their April 27 paychecks. Oh, by the way, the contract does not expire until March 31, 2023. Base Pay will increase by 2% Hazardous Duty Pay will increase by 2% to $4,734 Expanded Duty Pay will increase by 2% to $9,235 Regular Location Pay - Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties are now eligible for this payment at $1,754 annually Supplemental Location Pay will go from the current three category structure to the following two categories: · Orange, Putnam Dutchess at $1,332 annually · NYC, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk at $2,330 annually Bus Available for the National Police Memorial Candlelight Vigil National Police Week in Washington, D.C. is a weeklong series of events that honors fallen officers and their families. This year, National Police Week is being held from May 11 – May 16. For 2022, Sgt. James J. Monda, Troop G, has been approved for inclusion to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Sergeant Monda will have his name formally dedicated on May 13 at the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil. As in the past, Division has authorized members to participate in the ceremony. The NYSTPBA will coordinate transportation through Wade Tours. The bus will arrive at the New York State Police Academy at 8 a.m. on May 13. For members who wish to utilize the bus for transportation to Washington, D.C. they will report for pick up no later than 7:30 a.m. The bus will arrive at the Southern-most Maryland State Police barracks/rest area where members can get fully dressed into the Blouse. The bus will then head into Washington, D.C. and drop the members off. The bus driver will coordinate the pickup location with the MIC of the bus. Upon completion of the vigil, the bus will depart on May 13 at approximately 11 p.m. The bus will arrive back at SP Academy on May 14 at approximately 5 a.m. No overtime will be allowed for this detail. Any members interested in attending will need to advise the Troop G First/Sgt. via email by 12 p.m. on April 8. If you have any questions relating to the trip, please contact the PBA NCO-East Delegate, Sgt./SC Eric Terraferma, at 518-312-6599. NYSTPBA Scholarships The NYSTPBA scholarship application process is officially open, and I am proud that the Signal 30 Fund is offering more than 100 scholarships this year. Details about the scholarships including eligibility and the online application can be found by logging into the PBA website at http://www.nystpba.org and clicking on the “NYSTPBA Scholarships for 2022” page. (Please note the scholarship information is not available through the PBA’s app – it is available only on the website.) The deadline to submit applications is June 15, 2022, and the scholarship will be disbursed in August 2022. If you have any questions, please email Ann Neeson at aneeson@nystpba.org. NYSTPBA Store The NYSTPBA’s online store has a few new items to highlight: Swzl 20-ounce travel mugs are BPA-free and come from a veteran-owned family business; Under Armour baseball caps feature the Thin Blue Line trim in four different styles. These items can also be purchased in-person at our store at the PBA’s 120 State Street office in Albany. The store is located on the first floor of the building, next to the legal department. The store hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and the online store is open 24/7. Online store link: https://nystapparel.com/ Cardiac Screening in Troop E The State Trooper Surgeons program, in partnership with Rochester Regional Health, has established an outstanding cardiac scan for the Western Region of NYS. This is a FREE Screening opportunity that provides a complete cardiology check to alert all attendees as to potential cardiac risks they may face. This Heart Scan Initiative is open to NYS Troopers PBA members, Retirees and Family members. Attendees must call our Executive Care Coordinator, Emily Dixon, to reserve their slot(s). ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH HEART SCAN: Rochester Regional Health has truly raised the bar with respect to cardiac screenings for PBA members. This FREE screening is the most definitive look at our member’s cardiac health in the State and will include the following: Trooper Blood Draw – Fasting Glucose & Lipid Profile Calcium Score EKG & Vitals Meeting with Cardiac Provider(s) to review medical history and talk about risk factors Family Blood Draw – Fasting Glucose & Lipid Profile EKG & Vitals Will be provided a Medical History Form to be completed prior to visit to determine if a Calcium Score test is necessary Meeting with Cardiac Provider(s) to review medical history and talk about risk factors Rochester Regional’s initial screening date is scheduled for: May 7, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a limited number of slots open for this event. Other dates will be posted soon as demand dictates, as the event is expected to fill up. Location: Imaging Center - RGH Medical Office Building 1415 Portland Avenue Suite 190 Rochester, NY 14621 Parking: Attendees should plan to park in the Carter Street Ramp Garage, and will be given parking validation tickets upon completion of appointment. Report to Suite 190, which will be on the right walking from the garage. Preparation: This test requires Fasting. Do not eat or drink for 12 hours prior to your appointment (Water is ok). This test requires NO Smoking at least 4 hours before your appointment. This test requires NO Caffeine at least 4 hours before your appointment. This test requires NO Exercise at least 4 hours before your appointment. CALL TO SIGN UP: Participants for the heart scan will need to call Emily Dixon to set up a specific time slot for your appointment at 518-462-7448 ext. 140. Please leave a message with the full name, date of birth and cell number for each person who wishes to reserve an appointment. This email is an automated notification, which is unable to receive replies. To send a comment to the NYSTPBA, please contact us at nystpba@nystpba.org.

The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers 120 State St. Albany, New York 12207 (518) 462-7448 http://www.nystpba.org