Foe's Platform Worrisome
Unions Stand By Embattled Hevesi

By HOWARD MEGDAL

From "a serious error in judgment," to feeling "betrayed," reaction was strongly negative to the news that State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi had used one of his personal staffers as a driver for his wife - and that was just among his union supporters.

ALAN HEVESI: Damaged but still unions' choice.

However, other than the Sergeants' Benevolent Association, unions around the state stayed on the Hevesi bandwagon, citing both his overall public service record, and the unpalatable choice of supporting Republican ex-Saratoga County Treasurer J. Christopher Callaghan, whom many unions dislike for supporting a new, less-generous alternative to traditional employee pensions.

'A Difficult Decision'

"I know Alan for a long time," Council of School Supervisors and Administrators President Jill S. Levy said in an Oct. 31 interview. "I think what has happened is unfortunate. By his skill level, he is clearly the best choice for New York State. Of course you have those character flaws that make it a difficult decision." Nevertheless, Ms. Levy said she would be supporting Mr. Hevesi even though, "I feel betrayed."

Similarly faint praise came from Public Employees' Federation President Ken Brynien in an Oct. 31 e-mail he sent to members about "the sad situation."

"Clearly, Mr. Hevesi has acknowledged a serious error in judgment, but we should all keep in mind that the full facts may not be clear until the case is properly investigated and reviewed through the appropriate legal process."

Unbalanced Scales

Noting Mr. Callaghan's desire to substitute 401(k) plans for pensions for future employees, he went on to compare the records of the two men.

"Over here, Callaghan, until recently the treasurer of Saratoga County, budget $200 million. Over there, Hevesi, who has capably watched over the $114 billion state budget, gotten solid returns on pension fund investments, pushed for reform of New York's unaccountable public authorities and conducted respected audits hither and yon. And before all that, turning in a similarly good performance as New York City's Comptroller."

He concluded his contrast with the words, "Callaghan was unsuited for the job from the moment the Republicans nominated him. So, at this time, it has to be Hevesi." State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes released a stronger statement of support for Mr. Hevesi, asking members to let the legal process play out.

He said that "while there is much that we do not yet know, what we do know is that as Comptroller, and throughout his 35 years of public service, Alan Hevesi has been recognized as a national leader in the fight to restore and strengthen the role of defined-benefit pensions so that all workers can access a secure retirement."

Noting that the state budget is "570 times bigger" than Saratoga County's, Mr. Hughes vows that the AFL-CIO "will continue to work diligently for Alan Hevesi's re-election."

Of course, one possible reason for the unions continuing to support Mr. Hevesi's is the increasing sense that he is a placeholder at this point for another Democrat. Should Mr. Hevesi win but be removed after a State Senate trial, his replacement would be named by the Governor - likely to be Eliot Spitzer. Should he resign, the State Legislature as a whole would choose his successor, with Assembly Democrats playing a lead role. Essentially, many union officials figure that only electing Mr. Callaghan can prevent a Democratic Comptroller.

But Mr. Hevesi's spokesman Matt Mullarkey said that the Comptroller has no plans to resign, and that he believes "there is an election next Tuesday, and the five million voters should decide who the next Comptroller is."