Bill seeks pay raise for public utility workers
Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, D-Manhattan, has proposed legislation to raise the wages of contracted service workers at public utilities such as Consolidated Edison and National Grid.
The bill proposes closing a loophole in the state wage law enacted in 1971 by eliminating an exemption for public utility companies.
There are 17 Assembly sponsors thus far, including Peter Abbate, Barbara Clark, William Colton, Vivian Cook, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Richard Gottfried, Carl Heastie, Andrew Hevesi, Hakeem Jeffries, Brian Kavanagh, Rory Lancman, John McEneny, Félix Ortiz, Nick Perry, Linda Rosenthal and Matthew Titone.
Federal, state funds for bridge replacements
The replacement of two deteriorating Bronx River Parkway bridges for an estimated $62.98 million could result in the county Public Works Department receiving “considerable federal and state funding to complete the work,” according to Legislator Bill Ryan, D-WF, White Plains, Scarsdale.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators met last week and pre-authorized the county to move forward on the project under the New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law.
Federal and state surface transportation program funding for the replacement would amount to some $51.38 million. The county would have to pay its share of $11.6 million.
Under EDP law, the county will need to make offers on nine relevant parcels located near the Crane Road Viaduct on the Bronx River Parkway. Just compensation has been set at $957,000, according to the Board of Legislators.
County reps at the White House
Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins and former board Chairman Bill Ryan were among 100 county-level government officials to participate in a national briefing and discussion during a recent County Officials Meeting at the White House.
Infrastructure support, health care reform and improvements in Medicaid and Medicare were among topics shared. Jenkins said the county”™s adopted budget calling for a $30 million reduction in spending and a 10 percent cut in the county workforce was discussed.
