BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

State representatives in St. Lawrence County called Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive order that bars terminated correctional officers from obtaining employment with other state, county or local government agencies is hypocritical.

In the order Hochul said the state is committed to ensuring individuals appointed to state service uphold the law and their oath to public office.

“Individuals participating in illegal strikes have willfully violated the Taylor Law and an order of the Supreme Court of the State of New York by engaging in misconduct that undermines the public trust, demonstrates disregard for the law, disrupts public services, and is inconsistent with suitability for public service roles,” her order says.

According to the order the state will investigate to determine which officers were involved in the strikes and all state agencies will need to determine if any applicants for jobs were former officers and if they were involved in strikes as part of the background checks.

“It is therefore necessary to establish a state policy barring the hiring of individuals participating in this illegal and unlawful strike and recommending their separation from state service be reported as a removal for cause, consistent with state law and applicable regulations.”

In a recent statement, Assemblyman Scott Gray said the executive order was "an egregious suspension of civil service laws and municipal home rule," a measure that undermines "long-standing legal protections for public employees."

"The executive order is in stark contrast to the Clean Slate legislation that allows criminal records to be sealed in order for convicted felons to gain employment—how is that for contrast!" he wrote.

He called Hochul's order "punitive, unfair and counterproductive" in a time when many local governments and public safety agencies face workforce shortages.

Gray questioned whether the governor expected the state legislature to pass legislation to codify her order as well.

"Executive orders such as this are only valid for 30 days. Unless the governor proposes permanent legislation, these measures will be null and void after that period. Executive orders should not be used to override established employment rights or interfere with municipalities’ ability to hire capable personnel," Gray said.

Senator Mark Walczyk also called out the governor for the disaster emergency executive order, saying she is punishing officers for standing up against failed policies.

"Madam Governor, practice what you preach! Who is fighting for our correction officers’ families? Your actions are fighting against them, making it nearly impossible for these brave individuals to provide for their families you swore to fight for. Depriving correctional officers of job opportunities and stripping their families of health insurance is the exact opposite of your promise," Walczyk said.

He called the governor's hypocrisy "staggering."

"While Governor Hochul touts that we are hiring, she simultaneously blocks these newly jobless individuals from applying for the very positions that could support their families," Walczyk continued. "If she truly cared about families, she would be working to ensure our correction officers have safe working conditions and the support they need. Instead, she turns her back on them, reinforcing a punitive atmosphere that only exacerbates the crisis within our correctional facilities," Walczyk said.

Senator Dan Stec also urged the governor to reconsider the executive order and firings of 2,000 COs, noting that classes average 50 trainees.

"Even if 15 officer classes were held a year, it would take three years to backfill those positions at that rate," Stec said.

Stec said it was not possible to wait that long and urged the governor to reconsider the firings, asking for a final notice period.

"I also urge you to consider extending a final notice period that allows any remaining terminated employees the opportunity to return to work and have DOCCS rescind their terminations," he said.

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