Senate Finance Committee advances four governor ppointees to Workers' Compensation Board

The New York State Senate Finance Committee on June 9 voted to discharge four governor-appointed nominees to the New York State Workers' Compensation Board to the full Senate for consideration after brief on-the-record appearances.

The nominees who appeared were Gina Saliti (nominee to the Workers' Compensation Board), Maria Matos (nominee), Peter DeJesus Jr. (nominee) and Robert Bergen (nominee). Senator Liz Krueger, chair of the Finance Committee, and Senator Jessica Ramos, chair of the Labor Committee, presided over the session.

Gina Saliti, a former member of the State Assembly and a nominee to the board, told committee members she had more than two decades of public-service experience, including posts in local government and human-resources roles. "The Workers' Compensation Board ensures timely benefits for workers injured on the job," she said, adding she would be "honored to continue to serve" if confirmed. Several senators praised her work ethic and record in state and local government.

Maria Matos, a nominee with a long legal career, described work in the New York State Attorney General's Office, as legislative counsel to the New York City Council and in the State judiciary, including managing high-volume case calendars and addressing backlogs. "I am committed to making a positive contribution," Matos said, citing experience in drafting opinions, presiding over hearings and advising on conflicts-of-interest matters.

Peter DeJesus Jr., introduced himself as a Western New York labor leader and longtime organizer who said he would bring experience working with labor, employers and community partners to the board. DeJesus confirmed he would give up certain local labor positions if confirmed and said he would "bring these values into my role every day as a public servant."

Robert Bergen described decades of legal work in private practice, utility companies, municipal government and intergovernmental relations for Monroe County. Bergen said his mix of experience working for small employers and large public employers gives him perspective he would apply to workers' compensation matters.

Committee members asked a small number of procedural and background questions about caseloads and conflicts; nominees said they would apply the law to the facts of cases before the board. Several senators offered remarks in support of individual nominees; no senator raised disqualifying objections on the record during the brief hearings.

Procedural outcome: the committee took the four nominees together and voted to discharge them to the Senate floor. Voting was handled by paper ballot; members were permitted to record "yes," "no" or "without recommendation." The committee recorded the motion as approved and moved the four nominees onward to the full Senate; the hearing did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet again on nominations. Final confirmation, if it occurs, will be decided by the full Senate on a later date.