PEF’s cost savers and legislative support  As the battle over
state worker contracts unfolds, lawmakers are starting to run
interference for the unions, backing a proposal that would force
cost/benefit analysis regarding the use of outside contractors
in the IT field.  Unions including the Public Employees
Federation have long complained that these outside contractors
are costing the state money, which they say could be saved by
doing the work in-house.  The disputes and debates over outside
contractors have raged for years, what’s notable is the bills by
Sen. Joe Robach and Assemblyman Harry Bronson which, if passed,
could give the issue a bit more traction. Both are from the
Rochester area, Robach is a Republican and Bronson a Democrat.
Here’s the PEF release:  The New York State Public Employees
Federation (PEF) released new research today that identifies
savings of $300 million annually if the state takes reasonable
steps to reduce the excessive use of consultants. The state
spent $2.8 billion on consult