Oneida County Wins Legal Victory Against Governor’s Executive Order, Reinstates Hiring of Separated Correction Officers
- The NY Pulse
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
In a significant legal victory for Oneida County, the state’s Supreme Court granted a temporary restraining order against Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive order, which restricted the hiring of separate correction officers. This ruling, issued on April 1, 2025, allows Oneida County to continue hiring qualified correction officers who had previously been separated from service, a move that the county’s leaders argue is crucial for maintaining public safety and operational effectiveness.
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. expressed strong approval of the decision, calling it a win for both the county and the dedicated correction officers who were unfairly affected by the Governor’s directive. "This ruling is a victory for Oneida County and for the dedicated men and women who have served as correction officers and deserve the opportunity to continue their careers in public service," Picente said. "The Governor’s executive order was an unjust overreach that not only harmed these individuals but also jeopardized the safety and operations of our Sheriff’s Office."
The legal battle began in response to Executive Order 47.3, issued by Governor Hochul on March 10, 2025, which barred roughly 2,000 separated NYS correction officers from seeking government employment at any level. In a decisive move, Oneida County filed for an injunction on March 19, arguing that the order would result in irreparable harm, particularly in filling critical vacancies in the Sheriff’s Office and other departments.
State Supreme Court Justice Ryba sided with Oneida County, stating that the county demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in its lawsuit and showed that the executive order would result in significant harm. The ruling, however, is specific to Oneida County and does not apply statewide.
Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol also voiced his support for the decision, emphasizing the importance of experienced correction officers in maintaining public safety. "This decision is a crucial step toward ensuring that we can fill critical vacancies in our Sheriff’s Office with experienced, well-trained correction officers," Maciol said. "The Governor’s executive order unfairly targeted these professionals, preventing them from continuing to serve their communities. Public safety is our top priority, and this ruling allows us to strengthen our workforce and better protect the residents of Oneida County."
In response to the ruling, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office has already hired three separate officers, who are set to begin their new roles on April 3, 2025, with more expected to be processed in the coming weeks. The county will return to court on May 2, 2025, in an effort to make the restraining order permanent, ensuring that the ability to hire qualified personnel remains intact.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring that the Sheriff’s Office and other departments can operate efficiently with the necessary manpower to protect the community. The county’s victory marks a significant challenge to the Governor’s executive order, which has sparked debate over the ability of local governments to make hiring decisions that they believe are best suited to the needs of their communities.
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