“The complete lack of transparency in New York’s budget process is an insult to our democratic process. Deals are being struck behind closed doors. We’re voting on bills with no fiscal plan, leaving taxpayers in the dark about how their money will be spent. Worse still, I am concerned that expediting prison closures undermines current state law requiring a year’s notice before closure. Closures are blamed on staff levels yet the budget fails to prioritize correction officer (CO) safety. This budget neglects our CO’s, there are no retention incentives, no pension reform, no effort to bolster CO numbers or morale are included—this is an insult to those who risk their safety every day,” said Simpson.