NY Gov. Hochul Vetoes Police Pension Bill Following Union Criticism

Photo byGetty Images

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York vetoed a bill on Friday that would have enhanced pension benefits for over a thousand specialized law enforcement officers. The legislation, which had passed both the state Senate and Assembly in June, aimed to allow state forest rangers, environmental conservation officers, park police, and university police to retire after 20 years of service, instead of the current 25-year requirement.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Hochul has vetoed the bill, with previous vetoes occurring under her administration and that of former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Hochul’s justification for the veto remained consistent with previous years: the fiscal cost to the state. In her veto message, she stated that the bill would impose “substantial unbudgeted costs,” which includes an estimated $66.7 million in retroactive payments and $6 million annually going forward. "This pension enhancement would impose substantial unbudgeted costs on the state," Hochul noted.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA), which represents about 1,100 officers, has long advocated for the pension reform. The union argues that its members deserve the same retirement benefits as other law enforcement agencies in the state, including New York state troopers and most municipal police officers. Union President Jim McCartney sharply criticized Hochul's veto, accusing her of neglecting the needs of law enforcement officers. "Governor Hochul is no friend of law enforcement and only pays lip service when it comes to being pro-labor," McCartney said.

The timing of Hochul’s veto added to the tensions between the governor and the union. Just days before the veto, the PBA launched a billboard campaign across Albany, Buffalo, and Long Island criticizing Hochul’s record on public safety. The billboards, which featured the governor’s image, stated: "HELP WANTED! Our streets are less safe today. New Governor needed." The union’s messaging did not explicitly mention the pension bill, but the advertisements highlighted broader dissatisfaction with Hochul's handling of crime policies.

The pension bill had received overwhelming support in the state legislature, passing with strong backing from lawmakers aligned with labor unions. Senator Robert Jackson, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, expressed his disappointment following the veto. “This bill was critical to ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to protecting our public lands, natural resources, and state university campuses have the retirement equity they deserve,” Jackson said.

PBA Vice President Matt Krug also voiced frustration, particularly over the state's ongoing difficulty in recruiting and retaining specialized law enforcement officers, a problem he partly attributes to the disparity in retirement benefits between agencies. "We have to do the billboards to get the governor's attention," Krug said. He added that the union anticipated Hochul’s veto but believed it was necessary to bring attention to the issue. "They gaslight us. We're not important," he said.

As Hochul continues to navigate criticisms over her public safety policies, the PBA remains determined to push for the pension reform, signaling they will continue advocating for the change in future budget negotiations.