Earlier this year, members of the Legislature’s Minority Caucus introduced a resolution calling on New York State to amend the state Public Authorities Law to ban “golden parachutes” from non-civil service employment contracts. Last week, that resolution passed unanimously.

The resolution recommends prohibiting contracts longer than one year and any severance packages exceeding one year’s pay. Earlier this year, the Erie County Water Authority was under fire for their ability to pay out large sums of money at the end of an appointed member’s employment if he or she is fired without cause prior to the end of their contract.

Legislator Ed Rath said, “New York State should no longer allow golden parachutes at any level of government.  This practice is unacceptable and serves to protect those who have been fired at taxpayers’ expense.”

Minority Leader Joe Lorigo said, “Under no circumstance should someone who is fired be able to collect hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. The exit deal guaranteeing the former Water Authority Executive Director a massive payout earlier this year is an example of why this can no longer be tolerated.”

Legislator John Mills said, “It is a disservice to taxpayers and ratepayers when a public authority sends an individual off with a “golden parachute” or massive payout when they have been fired. State Public Authorities Law must be cleaned up to ensure this practice no longer happens.”

New York State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) and Assemblywoman Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) have introduced state legislation to curb the use of golden parachutes for all state public authorities.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.