Full opinion text
MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER MAE A. D’AGOSTINO, District Judge: INTRODUCTION Plaintiffs commenced the within action alleging that defendants unilaterally increased the percentage of contributions that plaintiffs, active and retired employees, are required to pay for health insurance benefits in retirement and, thereby, violated the Contracts Clause and Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, impaired plaintiffs’ contractual rights under the terms of their Collective Bargaining Agreement, and violated state law. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, declaratory judgments and monetary damages. Presently before the Court is defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ complaint pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6). See Dkt. No. 13. Plaintiffs have opposed the motion. Dkt. No. 17. BACKGROUND Plaintiff, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (“NYSCOPBA” or “the Union”) is the collective bargaining representative for members of the Security Services Unit of State Employees including, inter alia, Correctional Officers, Correctional Sergeants, Institution Safety Officers and Community Correctional Center Assistants employed by the State of New York and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”). Plaintiff Donn Rowe (“Rowe”) is the President and member of NYSCOPBA and an active employee of the State of New York and a vested member in the New York State Employees Retirement System (“NYS ERS”). Plaintiff Al Mothershed is an active employee of the State of New York and a member of NYSCOPBA enrolled and receiving health benefits through the New York State Health Insurance Program and a vested member in the NYS ERS. Plaintiffs Art W. Jolley, Louis Giampaglia, David Faile, William West and Diane Davis are former State employees and' former members of NYSCOPBA now retired and receiving health benefits through NYSHIP. During the relevant time, defendant Patricia Hite (“Hite”) was Acting Commissioner of the Civil Service Department and Acting President of the Civil Service Commission. Defendants Caroline W. Ahl (“Ahl”) and J. Dennis Hanrahan (“Hanrahan”) were members of the Civil Service Commission. Defendant Robert Megna (“Megna”) was the Director of the New York State Division of the Budget. Defendant Thomas P. DiNapoli (“DiNapoli”) was the Comptroller of the State of New York responsible for the administration of the New York State and Local Retirement System. The New York State and Local Retirement System is responsible for making monthly pension payments to eligible retired State employees less any deductions for the payment of retiree health insurance. Article XI of the New York State Civil Service Law (“CSL”) provides for a statewide health insurance plan for eligible State employees and retired State employees known as the New York State Health Insurance Plan (“NYSHIP” or “Empire Plan”). New York Civil Service Law § 167(1) assigns the State contribution rate towards the cost of health insurance premium or subscription charges for the coverage of State employees and retired State employees enrolled in NYSHIP. Prior to 1983, the State was required to pay the full cost of premium or subscription charges for the coverage of State employees and retired State employees enrobed in NYSHIP. Chapter 14 of the Laws of 1983 amended Civil Service Law § 167(l)(a) to limit the amount that the State was required to pay towards the cost of premium or subscription charges for the coverage of State employees and retired State employees enrobed in NYSHIP, by providing that the State was required to contribute only ninety percent (90 %) of the cost of such premium or subscription charges for the coverage of State employees and retired State employees retiring on or after January 1, 1983. The State would continue to contribute seventy-five percent (75 %) for dependent coverage for State employees and retired State employees. The Governor’s Program Bbl Memorandum regarding the 1983 amendment provided that “[t]he State and the employee organizations representing Státe workers have agreed to a reduction of the State’s contribution for the premium or subscription charges for employees enrobed in the statewide health insurance plan.” The Division of the Budget’s Report on Bbls also acknowledged that the rates were the product of an agreement: 1. Subject and ■ Purpose: This bib would implement certain unenacted portions of collectively negotiated health insurance benefit and cost agreements between the State and the employee organizations representing certain State employees. * ‡ # * :¡í 4. Arguments in Support: This measure provides the necessary authorization to implement negotiated agreements between the State and the employee organizations representing State employees. This action is appropriate in view of the “good faith” efforts of the State and the employee organizations to reach agreement on this critical issue. 9. Recommendation: Because this measure would implement certain unenacted portions of collectively negotiated health benefit and cost agreements between the State and employee organizations representing certain State employees and result in significant- direct cost savings - to the State, we recommend its approval. Between 1983 and 2011, Civil Service Law § 167(8) provided, inter alia, [njotwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, where and to the extent that an agreement between the state and an employee organization entered into pursuant to article fourteen of this chapter so provides, the state cost of premium or subscription charges for eligible employees covered by such agreement may be increased pursuant to the terms of such agreement. NYSCOPBA and the State of New York entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) and Interest Arbitration Award effective April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2009. Article 12 of the CBA governs the coverage of Health, Dental and Prescription Drug Insurance. Section 12.1 of the CBA provides as follows: The State shall continue to provide all the forms and extent of coverage as defined by the contracts and Interest Arbitration Awards in force on March 31, 2007 with the State health and dental insurance carriers unless specifically modified or replaced pursuant to this agreement. Section 12.8 of the 2007-2009 NYSCOPBA CBA is entitled Premium Contribution and provides: (a) The State agrees to pay 90 percent of the cost of individual coverage and 75 percent of dependent coverage, provided under the Empire Plan. The State shall pay 90 percent for individual prescription drug coverage and 75 percent for dependent prescription drug coverage under the Empire Plan. (b) The State agrees to pay 90 percent of the cost of individual coverage and 75 percent of dependent coverage, toward the hospital/medical/mental health and substance abuse components of each HMO, not to exceed, 100 percent of its dollar contribution for those components under the Empire Plan. The State will pay 90 percent of the cost of individual prescription drug coverage and 75 percent of the cost of dependent prescription drug coverage under the Health Maintenance Organizations. (c) The unremarried spouse of an employee, who retires after April 1, 1979, with ten or more years of active State service and subsequently dies, shall be permitted to continue coverage in the health insurance program with payment at the same contribution rates as required of active employees. (d)The unremarried spouse of an active employee, who dies after April 1, 979 and who, at the date of death was vested in the Employee’s Retirement system and within ten years of his/her first date of eligibility for retirement shall be permitted to continue coverage in the health insurance program with payment at the same contribution rates as required of active employees. On August 17, 2011, the legislature passed Chapter 491 of the Laws of 2011 (“Chapter 491”). Chapter 491 amended § 167(8) and replaced the word “increased” with the word “modified.” The amendment further provided that [t]he president [of the Civil Service Commission], with the approval of the director of the budget, may extend the modified state cost of premium or subscription charges for employees or retirees not subject to an agreement referenced above and shall promulgate the necessary rules or regulations to implement this provision. In August 2011, the New York State Civil Service Department issued an Empire Plan Special Report announcing the implementation of new reduced State contribution rates in NYSHIP for New York State Retirees, Vestees and Dependent Survivors and Employees of the State of New York designated as Management/Confidential (M/C) and Legislature employees. On September 21, 2011, defendant Hite requested defendant Megna’s approval to extend the modified contribution rates. On September 22, 2011, defendant Megna approved the extension of modified contribution rates. On October 1, 2011, defendants implemented new reduced State contribution rates, which resulted in a two percent (2 %) reduction in the State contribution rates for Individual coverage from ninety percent (90 %) to eighty-eight percent (88 %), and Dependent Coverage, from seventy-five percent (75 %) to seventy-three percent (73 %), for enrolled State retirees, including NYSCOPBA retirees, who retired on or after January 1,1983. Defendants approved and filed emergency regulations to implement the reduction in State contribution rates effective October 1, 2011, and a further reduction in State contribution rates for employees retiring from State service on or after January 1, 2012, including NYSCOPBA employees. These reductions will result in a six percent (6 %) reduction in the State contribution rates for individual coverage from ninety percent (90 %) to eighty-four percent (84 %) and dependent coverage from seventy-five percent (75 %) to sixty-nine percent (69 %) for those retirees retiring from a title Salary Grade 10 or above, from a position equated to Salary Grade 10 or above, or for those who retire from a position which is not allocated or equated to a Salary Grade. On February 14, 2012, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint (Dkt. No. 9) asserting causes of action for impairment of contract, violation of due process, violation of civil rights pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and breach of contract. Plaintiffs also claim that Civil Service Law § 167(8) is unconstitutional as applied and assert that defendants Hite and Megna lacked authority under § 167(8) to approve and implement the reduction in State contribution rates. Plaintiffs also seek an order, pursuant to Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules, vacating and annulling defendants’ actions in administratively approving, extending and implementing increases in the contribution rates that retired State employees are required to pay for health insurance benefits in retirement. Plaintiffs commenced this action against the individual defendants in both their individual and official capacities. DISCUSSION Standard on a Motion to Dismiss under 12(b)(1) In contemplating a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1), the Court must “accept as true all material factual allegations in the eomplaint[.]” Atl Mut. Ins. Co. v. Balfour Maclaine Int’l Ltd., 968 F.2d 196, 198 (2d Cir.1992). The court may consider evidence outside the pleadings, e.g., affidavit(s), documents or otherwise competent evidence. See Kamen v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 791 F.2d 1006, 1011 (2d Cir.1986); Antares Aircraft v. Fed. Rep. of Nigeria, 948 F.2d 90, 96 (2d Cir.1991). “The standards for considering a motion to dismiss under Rules 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6) are substantively identical.” Lerner v. Fleet Bank, N.A., 318 F.3d 113, 128 (2d Cir.2003). Defendants move for dismissal pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(1) arguing that the Eleventh Amendment precludes the Court from obtaining subject matter jurisdiction over the following claims: (1) all of plaintiffs’ claims against the State of New York and its agencies; (2) plaintiffs’ claims against defendants in their official capacities; and (3) plaintiffs’ Article 78 cause of action. Defendants also allege that the principals of the Younger doctrine require abstention in this matter. I. Eleventh Amendment The Eleventh Amendment provides that “[t]he Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.” State Emp. Bargaining Agent Coalition v. Rowland, 494 F.3d 71, 95 (2d Cir.2007) (citing U.S. Const, amend. XI). The Eleventh Amendment bars federal courts from exercising subject matter jurisdiction over claims against states absent their consent to such a suit or an express statutory waiver of immunity. See Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 90-100, 104 S.Ct. 900, 79 L.Ed.2d 67 (1984); see also Huminski v. Corsones, 386 F.3d 116, 133 (2d Cir.2004) (citation omitted). Although the plaintiff generally bears the burden of proving subject matter jurisdiction, the entity claiming Eleventh Amendment immunity bears the burden to prove such. See Woods v. Rondout Valley Cent. Sch. Disk Bd. of Educ., 466 F.3d 232, 237 (2d Cir.2006). Section 1983 imposes liability for “conduct which ‘subjects, or causes to be subjected’ the complainant to a deprivation of a right secured by the Constitution and laws.” Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 370-71, 96 S.Ct. 598, 46 L.Ed.2d 561 (1976) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 1983). It is well-settled that states are not “persons” under section 1983 and, therefore, Eleventh Amendment immunity is not abrogated by that statute. See Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71, 109 S.Ct. 2304, 105 L.Ed.2d 45 (1989). A. Federal Claims against State of New York, New York State Civil Service Department, New York State Civil Service Commission and New York State and Local Retirement System Regardless of the type of relief sought, the Eleventh Amendment bars this Court from assuming jurisdiction over plaintiffs’ claims asserted against the State of New York and its agencies. When the state or one of its “arms” is the defendant, sovereign immunity bars federal courts from entertaining lawsuits against them “regardless of the nature of the relief sought.” Pennhurst, 465 U.S. at 100, 104 S.Ct. 900. In this case, the State has neither waived its immunity, nor has Congress exercised its power to override Eleventh Amendment immunity. Accordingly, plaintiffs’ claims against the State of New York, New York State Civil Service Department, New York State Civil Service Commission and New York State and Local Retirement System are dismissed. See McGinty v. New York, 251 F.3d 84, 100 (2d Cir.2001) (dismissing the claims against the Retirement System for lack of subject matter jurisdiction based upon the Eleventh Amendment). B. Federal Claims Against State Officials in their Official Capacity Plaintiffs also assert claims against defendants Cuomo, Hite, Ahl, Hanrahan, Megna and DiNapoli in their official capacities. Eleventh Amendment immunity extends to state officials sued in their official capacities for retrospective relief. See Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 166, 105 S.Ct. 3099, 87 L.Ed.2d 114 (1985). Actions for damages against a state official in his or her official capacity are essentially actions against the state, and will be barred by the Eleventh Amendment unless: (1) Congress has abrogated immunity, (2) the state has consented to suit, or (3) the Ex parte Young doctrine applies. See Will, 491 U.S. at 71, 109 S.Ct. 2304. In this matter, the issues presented before this Court involve the third exception. In Ex parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 28 S.Ct. 441, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908), the Supreme Court established an exception to state sovereign immunity in federal actions where an individual brings an action seeking injunctive relief against a state-official for an ongoing violation of law or the Constitution. This doctrine provides “a limited exception to the general principle of sovereign immunity [that] allows a suit for injunctive relief challenging the constitutionality of a state official’s actions in enforcing state law under the theory that such a suit is not one against the State, and therefore not barred by the Eleventh Amendment.” Ford v. Reynolds, 316 F.3d 351, 354-55 (2d Cir.2003). Under the doctrine, a suit may proceed against a state official in his or her official capacity, notwithstanding the Eleventh Amendment, when a plaintiff, “(a) alleges an ongoing violation of federal law and (b) seeks relief properly characterized as prospective.” See In re Deposit Ins. Agency, 482 F.3d 612, 618 (2d Cir.2007) (quotations and citations omitted); see also Santiago v. New York State Dep’t of Corr. Serv., 945 F.2d 25, 32 (2d Cir.1991) (holding that such claims, however, cannot be brought directly against the state, or a state agency, but only against state officials in their official capacities). In Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651, 653, 94 S.Ct. 1347, 39 L.Ed.2d 662 (1974), the Supreme Court expanded upon Ex parte Young and held that even when a plaintiffs requested relief is styled as an injunction against a state official, if “the action is in essence one for recovery of money from the state, the state is the real, substantial party in interest and is entitled to invoke its sovereign immunity from suit even though individual officials are nominal defendants.” Retroactive relief is “measured in terms of a monetary loss resulting from a past breach of a legal duty on the part of the defendant state officials” regardless of how the relief is fashioned. Id. at 668, 94 S.Ct. 1347. Prospective relief includes injunctive relief that bars a state actor from engaging in certain unconstitutional acts or abates ongoing constitutional violations as well as the “payment of state funds as a necessary consequence of compliance in the future with a substantive federal question determination.” Id. The “general criterion for determining when a suit is in fact against the sovereign is the effect of the relief sought, namely, would the relief abate an ongoing violation or prevent a threatened future violation of federal law?” Id. In Edelman, the majority concluded: It is one thing to tell [a state official] that he must comply with the federal standards for the future if the state is to have the benefit of federal funds in the program he administers. It is quite another thing to order the [state official] to use state funds to make reparation for the past. The latter would appear to us to fall afoul of the Eleventh Amendment if that basic constitutional provision is to be conceived of as having any force. Id. at 695, 94 S.Ct. 1347 (quoting Rothstein v. Wyman, 467 F.2d 226, 236-237 (2d Cir.1972)). In order to determine whether the Ex parte Young exception allows plaintiffs’ suit against the officials, this Court must first determine whether the complaint alleges an ongoing violation of federal law and second, whether plaintiffs seek relief properly characterized as prospective. See Verizon Md., Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm’n of Md., 535 U.S. 635, 645, 122 S.Ct. 1753, 152 L.Ed.2d 871 (2002). “[T]o successfully avoid the Eleventh Amendment bar, a plaintiff must prove that a defendant’s violation of federal law is of an ongoing nature as opposed to a case ‘in which federal law has been violated at one time or another over a period of time in the past.’ ” Papasan v. Attain, 478 U.S. 265, 277-78, 106 S.Ct. 2932, 92 L.Ed.2d 209 (1986) (quotation omitted). The inquiry for determining whether an “ongoing violation” exists is, “does the enforcement of the law amount to a continuous violation of plaintiffs constitutional rights or a single act that continues to have negative consequences for plaintiffs.” New Jersey Educ. Ass’n v. New Jersey, No. 11-5024, 2012 WL 715284, at *4 (D.N.J. Mar. 5, 2012). Defendants argue that Eleventh Amendment immunity extends to state officials but fail to address the Ex parte Young exception. Here, plaintiffs argue that a “straightforward inquiry” reveals that plaintiffs have alleged a violation of federal law. Plaintiffs allege that defendant officials are engaged in enforcing Chapter 491 of the Laws of 2011, a law that is contrary to federal law because it impairs their rights under Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiffs also allege that officials are implementing a state statute that violates federal due process. An allegation that state officials are enforcing a law in contravention of controlling federal law is sufficient to allege an ongoing violation of federal law for the purposes of Ex parte Young. See Chester Bross Const. Co. v. Schneider, 886 F.Supp.2d 896, 904-05 (C.D.Ill.2012) (citing Verizon Md., Inc., 535 U.S. at 645, 122 S.Ct. 1753). Thus, plaintiffs have satisfied the first prong of Ex parte Young. With respect to the nature of relief sought, plaintiffs’ “WHEREFORE” clause contains the following requests: (a)declaring that State defendants’ actions implementing and administratively extending reduced State contribution rates for health insurance to plaintiffs, and all similarly situated retirement eligible members and retired former members of NYSCOPBA, and their eligible unremarried spouses and other dependents, are unconstitutional in violation of the Contract Clause of Article I of Section 10 of the United States Constitution, and permanently enjoining State defendants from implementing same; (b) declaring that State defendants’ actions implementing and administratively extending reduced State contribution rates for health insurance to plaintiffs, and all similarly situated retirement eligible members and retired former members of NYSCOPBA, and their eligible unremarried spouses and other dependents, are unconstitutional in violation of Article I of Section 6 of the New York State Constitution, and permanently enjoining State defendants from implementing same; (c) declaring that State defendants’ actions implementing and administratively extending reduced State contribution rates for health insurance to plaintiffs, and all similarly situated retirement eligible members and retired former members of NYSCOPBA, and their eligible unremarried spouses and other dependents, are unconstitutional in violation of their Fourteenth Amendment Due Process rights under the United States Constitution, and permanently enjoining State defendants from implementing same; (d) declaring Chapter 491 of the Laws of 2011 unconstitutional, as applied under Civil Service Law § 167(8), to the extent that State defendants administratively extended and implemented reduced State contribution rates to retired State employees which impair the contract rights of NYSCOPBA,- its retirement eligible members and' retired former members, and their eligible unremarried spouses and- other dependents, to continue health benefits; ■ (e) declaring that State defendants’ actions in administratively approving, extending and implementing increases in the contribution rates that retired State employees are required to pay for health insurance benefits in retirement are ultra vires, without lawful authority, unauthorized pursuant to New York Civil Service Law § 167(8), in excess of jurisdiction; (f) enjoining State defendants’ implementation of reduced contribution rates for health insurance; (g) declaring that State defendants’ actions in administratively approving, extending and implementing increases in the contribution rates that retired State employees are required to pay for health insurance benefits in retirement are unlawful and in violation of the contract rights created pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Laws of 1983 and the State’s longstanding practice; (h) pursuant to Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules, vacating and annulling the State defendants’ actions in administratively approving, extending and implementing increases in the contribution rates that retired State employees are required to pay for health insurance benefits in retirement as . unlawful, in excess of jurisdiction, arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion; (i) enjoining, prohibiting and restraining defendants DiNapoli and the Retirement System from making any deductions from the monthly pension payments of retired State employees including plaintiffs, and all similarly situated retirement eligible -members and retired former members of NY- - SCOPBA, or passing along any additional costs or charges as a result of the reduced State contribution rates implemented by State defendants challenged therein; (j) directing State defendants to reim- - burse and make whole plaintiffs, and all similarly situated retirement eligible and retired former members of NYSCOPBA, and their eligible unremarried spouses and other dependents, for any and all additional payments or deductions to pension payments, made as a result of the reduced State contribution rates implemented by State defendants challenged herein; (k) awarding plaintiffs’ reasonable attorneys’ fees costs and disbursements of this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1988, and as otherwise allowed by law. See Am. Cplt. (Dkt. No. 9). The Court will address each request for relief in turn. 1. Monetary Relief Plaintiffs argue that they are entitled to ancillary damages necessary to effectuate relief and cite to Milliken v. Bradley, 433 U.S. 267, 97 S.Ct. 2749, 53 L.Ed.2d 745 (1977) as support for their claims for monetary damages. In the Mil-liken case, the district court ordered implementation of student assignment plans and educational components in the areas of reading, in-service teacher training, testing and counseling to effectuate desegregation. The Supreme Court discussed the “prospective-compliance” exception which permits federal courts to enjoin state officials to conform their conduct to the requirements of federal law notwithstanding a direct and substantial impact on the state treasury. Id. at 289, 97 S.Ct. 2749. In Milliken, there was no money award in favor of the respondent or any member of his class. The Court explained that the case “simply does not involve individual citizens’ conducting a raid on the state treasury for an accrued monetary liability.” Id. Instead, the decree required state officials to eliminate a segregated school system. Id. The Court reasoned that [tjhese programs were not, and as a practical matter could not be, intended to wipe the slate clean by one bold stroke, as could a retroactive award of money in Edelman. Rather, by the nature of the antecedent violation, which on this record caused significant deficiencies in communications skills — reading and speaking — the victims of Detroit’s de jure segregated system will continue to experience the effects of segregation until such future time as the remedial programs can help dissipate the continuing effects of past misconduct. Reading and speech deficiencies cannot be eliminated by judicial fiat; they will require time, patience, and the skills of specially trained teachers. That the programs are also ‘compensatory’ in nature does not change the fact that they are part of a plan that operates prospectively to bring about the delayed benefits of a unitary school system. We therefore hold that such prospective relief is not barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Id. at 290, 97 S.Ct. 2749. The facts and relief sought in Milliken are clearly distinguishable from those at hand and thus, the Court is not persuaded that the holding supports plaintiffs’ claims herein. To the extent plaintiffs seek monetary relief against defendants acting in their official capacity as agents of the State, such claims are barred by the Eleventh Amendment. See Fulton v. Goord, 591 F.3d 37, 45 (2d Cir.2009) (holding that “in a suit against state officials in their official capacities, monetary relief (unlike prospective injunctive relief) is generally barred by the Eleventh Amendment”) (citation omitted). 2. Injunctive Relief Plaintiffs also seek an order permanently enjoining defendants from implementing the reduced State contribution rates, arguing that the continued effectuation of Chapter 491 will have an impact upon plaintiffs/retirees who are receiving only a portion of their former income. As discussed supra, defendants did not address Ex parte Young or the inapplicability/applicability of the doctrine herein. Defendants do not claim that plaintiffs seek improper injunctive relief that is retrospective or designed to compensate for a past violation of federal law. Moreover, defendants did not present any argument regarding the impact such an injunction would have on the state treasury. To the extent that plaintiffs seek prospective injunctive relief against defendants, plaintiffs have .sufficiently alleged such claims and thus, based upon the purview of Ex parte Young, dismissal is not warranted. See Finch v. New York State Office of Children & Family Serv., 499 F.Supp.2d 521, 538 (S.D.N.Y.2007) (citation omitted). 3. Declaratory Judgment Declaratory judgments form part of the injunctive relief allowed for under Ex parte Young. See Tigrett v. Cooper, 855 F.Supp.2d 733, 743-44 (W.D.Tenn.2012). However, declaratory relief is not permitted under Ex parte Young when it would serve to declare only past actions in violation of federal law: retroactive declaratory relief cannot be properly characterized as prospective. Id.; Green v. Mansour, 474 U.S. 64, 74, 106 S.Ct. 423, 88 L.Ed.2d 371 (1985) (holding that the Eleventh Amendment bars retrospective declaratory relief against state officials); New Jersey Educ. Ass’n, 2012 WL 715284, at *5 (holding that a request for a declaratory judgment holding that portions of a statute are unconstitutional is .“nothing more than an indirect way of forcing the State to abide by its obligations as they existed before the enactment of the Act and therefore, essentially a request for specific performance” and, thus, not permitted). In this matter, to the extent plaintiffs seek declaratory relief regarding the State defendants’ past conduct, such claims must be dismissed because the Eleventh Amendment “does not permit judgments against state officers declaring that they violated federal law in the past.” Finch, 499 F.Supp.2d at 538 (citing Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Auth. v. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., 506 U.S. 139, 146, 113 S.Ct. 684, 121 L.Ed.2d 605 (1993)); see also Nat’l Audubon Soc’y, Inc. v. Davis, 307 F.3d 835, 847-48 (9th Cir.2002) (noting that retrospective declaratory relief would declare that the State Defendants committed constitutional violations in the past; prospective relief would declare that likely future actions aré unconstitutional). However, plaintiffs’ request for an order declaring Chapter 491 of the Laws of 2011 unconstitutional is prospective. See Verizon Md., 535 U.S. at 645, 122 S.Ct. 1753 (“The prayer for injunctive relief— that state officials be restrained from enforcing an order in contravention of controlling federal law — clearly satisfies our ‘straightforward inquiry’ ”). As to this request, to the extent that plaintiffs seek prospective declaratory relief, that relief is not barred by the Eleventh Amendment. To summarize, the Eleventh Amendment deprives this Court of jurisdiction' over all of plaintiffs’ claims ■ against the State of New York, New York State Civil Service Departmént, New York State Civil Service Commission, New York State and Local Retirement System, and plaintiffs’ claims for monetary damages against defendants in their official capacities. Jurisdiction remains over plaintiffs’ claims for prospective injunctive and declaratory relief and against defendants Cuomo, Hite, Ahl, Hanrahan, Megna and DiNapoli in their official capacities. C. New York State Law Contractual Impairment Claims Against Defendants in their Official Capacities Defendants also move for dismissal of plaintiffs’ state law contractual impairment claim asserted against defendants in their official capacity. The jurisdiction of a federal court to entertain supplemental state law claims under 28 U.S.C § 1367 does not override Eleventh Amendment immunity. “Supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a) does not constitute a congressional abrogation of the Eleventh Amendmént granting district courts the power to adjudicate pendent state law claims.” Nunez v. Cuomo, No. 11-CV-3457, 2012 WL 3241260, at *20 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 7, 2012) (citations omitted). The Eleventh Amendment bars suits in federal courts seeking relief, whether prospective or retroactive, against state officials for their alleged violations of state law. See Pennhurst, 465 U.S. 89, 106, 104 S.Ct. 900. The Ex parte Young doctrine is inapplicable where the officials are alleged to have violated state law. See Local 851 of Int’l Bhd. of Teamsters v. Thyssen Haniel Logistics, Inc., 90 F.Supp.2d 237, 247 (E.D.N.Y.2000) (citing Pennhurst, 465 U.S. at 104-06, 104 S.Ct. 900). However, the Eleventh Amendment does not bar a suit when an official has allegedly acted entirely outside her state-delegated authority in a manner that violates federal law. See Florida Dep’t of State v. Treasure Salvors, Inc., 458 U.S. 670, 696-697, 102 S.Ct. 3304, 73 L.Ed.2d 1057 (1982); Pennhurst, 465 U.S. at 101 n. 11, 104 S.Ct. 900. In Treasure Salvors, Inc., the Supreme Court held as follows: [A]ction of an officer of the sovereign (be it holding, taking or otherwise legally affecting the plaintiffs property) that is beyond the officer’s statutory authority is not action of the sovereign, a suit for specific relief against the officer is not barred by the Eleventh Amendment. This conclusion follows inevitably from Ex parte Young. If conduct of a state officer taken pursuant to an unconstitutional state statute is deemed to be unauthorized and may be challenged in federal court, conduct undertaken without any authority whatever is also not entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity. Id. at 696, 102 S.Ct. 3304. A state officer acts ultra vires when he acts beyond the scope of his statutory authority, or pursuant to authority deemed, to be'unconstitutional. Id. Here, plaintiffs must establish that defendants acted “without any authority whatsoever” under state law. Sherwin-Williams Co. v. Crotty, 334 F.Supp.2d 187, 196 (N.D.N.Y.2004). Plaintiffs allege that the state claims arise out of ultra vires acts by defendants Hite and Megna: Upon information and belief, defendant Hite, in her capacity as “Acting Commissioner” of the Civil Service Department, and “Acting President” of the Civil Service Commission, has not filed an oath of office as Commissioner or President, respectively. Upon information and belief, defendant Hite, in her capacity as “Acting President” of the Civil Service Commission, has not attended or voted at any official meeting of the Civil Service Commission. Defendant Hite lacks authority pursuant to Civil Service Law § 167(8), or otherwise to extend modified State contribution rates to retired State employees and unrepresented State employees, as proposed in her September 21, 2011 letter to defendant Budget Director Megna. As a result of defendant Hite’s lack of authority, defendant Megna lacked authority on September 22, 2011, to approve the extension of modified State contribution rates to retired State employees and unrepresented State employees pursuant to Civil Service Law § 167(8), or otherwise. Upon information and belief, other than for purposes of purportedly extending modified State contribution rates challenged herein or purportedly authorizing the filing of emergency regulations with the Secretary of State necessary to implement the extension of modified State contribution rates challenged herein, defendant Hite has not otherwise purported to act in an official capacity as either “Acting President” or “President of [the Civil Service] Commission.” Based upon the vacancy in the office of President of the Civil Service Commission, and defendant Hite’s failure to perform all of the duties, functions and responsibilities of the President of the Civil Service Commission, “Acting” or otherwise, State defendants Hite and Megna completely lacked authority under the provisions of the Civil Service Law 167(8), or otherwise, to approve and implement the aforesaid reduction in State contribution rates for retired State employees. Am. Cplt. at ¶¶ 115-118, 163, 164. Plaintiffs also allege that “defendants’ implementation of the aforesaid reduced State contribution rates for retirees is not based upon an extension of the terms contained in the CSEA Agreement, and is therefore ultra vires, without lawful authority, unauthorized pursuant to Civil Service Law 167(8), null and void.” Id. at ¶¶ 122, 169. At this stage of the litigation, plaintiffs have sufficiently pled the ultra vires exception to the Eleventh Amendment and, thus, defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ state-law claims, on this basis, is denied. D. Federal Claims Against Defendants in their Individual Capacities Plaintiffs assert § 1983 claims for monetary damages, injunctive relief and declaratory judgment against defendants Cuomo, Hite, Ahl, Hanrahan, Megna and DiNapoli, individually. Suits against state officials in their personal capacity are not barred by the Eleventh Amendment, even for actions required by their official duties, Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 27-28, 112 S.Ct. 358, 116 L.Ed.2d 301 (1991) (holding that state officials may be personally liable for actions taken in their official capacity); however, such actions may be subject to dismissal on other grounds. Here, defendants argue that legislative immunity divests this Court of jurisdiction over plaintiffs’ claims against the individual defendants in their individual capacities. However, legislative immunity is a personal defense that may be asserted in the context of a challenge under Rule 12(b)(6) and is not proper for review as a jurisdictional bar under Rule 12(b)(1). See State Emp., 494 F.3d at 82 n. 4. Accordingly, that portion .of defendants’ motion will be discussed infra. II. Eighth Cause of Action for Judgment Pursuant to Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules Defendants move to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims under N.Y.C.P.L.R. Article 78, arguing that, to the extent that plaintiffs are challenging official interpretations of CSL § 167(8), defendants’ promulgations or regulations, and the propriety of the Civil Service President’s appointment, New York State has not empowered the federal courts to entertain these actions. Plaintiffs contend that the Article 78 claims are predicated on the federal constitutional claims and derive from a common nucleus of operative fact. Therefore, plaintiffs argue that this Court has the discretion to exercise pendent jurisdiction over these claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367. Section 1367 provides that a court “may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction” if there are “compelling reasons for declining jurisdiction.” 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(4). “There does not appear to be a consensus in this Circuit as to whether courts may, in their discretion, hear Article 78 claims under the rubric of supplemental jurisdiction.” Minima v. New York City Emp. Retirement Sys., No. 11-CV-2191, 2012 WL 4049822, at *8 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2012) (citing Clear Wireless L.L.C. v. Bldg. Dep’t of Lynbrook, No. 10-CV-5055, 2012 WL 826749, at *9 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 8, 2012) (noting that “it is doubtful ... that claims under Article 78 are even amenable to a district court’s supplemental jurisdiction”)); see also Momingside Supermarket Corp. v. New York State Dep’t of Health, 432 F.Supp.2d 334, 346 (S.D.N.Y.2006) (refusing to exercise jurisdiction over the plaintiffs’ Article 78 cause of action for an order annulling a Department of Health ruling for an error of law, and as arbitrary and capricious). The “overwhelming majority of district courts confronted with the question ... have found that they are without power to do so or have declined to do so.” Clear Wireless, 2012 WL 826749, at *9 (quoting Coastal Commc’ns Serv., Inc. v. City of New York, 658 F.Supp.2d 425, 459 (E.D.N.Y.2009)); see also De Jesus v. City of New York, No. 10-CV-9400, 2012 WL 569176, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 21, 2012) (holding that Article 78 is a procedure, not a cause of action). However, “[e]ven assuming that a federal district court could properly exercise supplemental jurisdiction over an Article 78 claim, the court has ‘discretion under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c) to determine whether to hear th[ose] claims.’ ” Morningside Supermarket Corp., 432 F.Supp.2d at 346 (citing Briarpatch Ltd., L.P. v. Phoenix Pictures, Inc., 373 F.3d 296, 309 (2d Cir. 2004)). In Momingside, the court held that [fjederal courts in New York agree that “Article 78 proceedings were designed for the state courts, and are best suited to adjudication there.” Moreover, “state law does not permit [these] proceedings to be brought in federal court.” These are compelling reasons to decline supplemental jurisdiction over Morning-side’s third cause of action, and there is nothing exceptional about Morningside’s claim that would justify deviation from the well-reasoned and essentially unanimous position of New York district courts on this issue. Id. (internal citations omitted). Here, plaintiffs seek to have this Court “annul” defendants’ actions pursuant to Article 78. The caselaw on this issue is decidedly in defendants’ favor. While it is true that the federal claims and state-law issues arise out of the same operative set of facts, this Court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over plaintiffs’ Article 78 claim because to do so would require this Court to interpret state law before the New York State courts have an opportunity to analyze and resolve the issues. See Support Ministries for Persons with AIDS, Inc. v. Vill. of Waterford, N.Y., 799 F.Supp. 272, 280 (N.D.N.Y.1992) (holding that “there is no reason for th[e] court to embroil itself in a dispute between the State and a local government and to make this novel and potentially extremely significant interpretation of state law”). The Court has reviewed the holding in Yonkers Racing Corp. v. City of Yonkers, 858 F.2d 855 (2d Cir.1988), a case cited by plaintiffs, and finds the holding unpersuasive based upon the facts herein. In Yonkers, the Second Circuit noted that the case “presented exceptional circumstances” and opted to exercise jurisdiction over the plaintiffs’ Article 78 claim. The Yonkers holding has been cited as the exception not the rule. See Coastal Commc’ns, 658 F.Supp.2d at 459; see also Kelly v. City of Mount Vernon, 344 F.Supp.2d 395, 407 (S.D.N.Y.2004). Here, plaintiffs have not persuaded this Court that this case presents such extreme facts. Based upon the circumstances herein, the Court finds that this specific state-created civil action should not be brought in federal court. Accordingly, the Court follows the “essentially unanimous position of the New York district Courts” and declines to exercise jurisdiction over plaintiffs’ Eighth Cause of Action. See Morningside, 432 F.Supp.2d at 347. III. Younger Doctrine A federal court’s obligation to adjudicate claims within its jurisdiction is “virtually unflagging:” New Orleans Pub. Serv., Inc. v. Council of City of New Orleans, 491 U.S. 350, 359, 109 S.Ct. 2506, 105 L.Ed.2d 298 (1989) (holding that “abstention remains the exception, not the rule”). The Younger doctrine “espouse[s] the policy that a federal court should not interfere with a pending state judicial proceeding in which important state interests are at stake.” Wisoff v. City of Schenectady, No. 07-CV-34, 2009 WL 606139, -at *6 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 9, 2009) (citing, inter alia, Middlesex County Ethics Comm. v. Garden State Bar Ass’n, 457 U.S. 423, 431-432, 102 S.Ct. 2515, 73 L.Ed.2d 116- (1982)). In the Second. Circuit, courts applying Younger abstention “must determine. (1) whether there is an ongoing state proceeding; (2) whether an important state interest is involved; and (3) whether the federal plaintiff has an adequate opportunity for judicial review of his constitutional claims during or after the proceeding.” Univ. Club v. City of New York, 842 F.2d 37, 40 (2d Cir.1988) (internal citations omitted). Generally, Younger is not applied against those not party to the pending state proceedings. Hindu Temple Soc’y of N. Am. v. Supreme Court of State of New York, 335 F.Supp.2d 369, 375 (E.D.N.Y.2004). However, the Second Circuit has held that, “[i]n certain circumstances, Younger may apply to the claims of third-parties who are not' directly involved in any pending state proceeding.” Spargo v. N.Y. State Comm’n on Judicial Conduct, 351 F.3d 65, 82 (2d Cir.2003). “[Ajlthough plaintiffs should not ‘automatically be thrown into the same hopper for Younger purposes,’ there may be ‘some circumstances in which legally distinct parties are so closely related that they should all be subject to the Younger considerations which govern any one of them.’ ” Hindu Temple, 335 F.Supp.2d at 375 (quoting, inter alia, Doran v. Salem Inn, Inc., 422 U.S. 922, 928, 95 S.Ct. 2561, 45 L.Ed.2d 648 (1975)). “Courts have consistently recognized while ‘[congruence of interests is not enough’ by itself, to warrant abstention, where the plaintiffs’ interests are so inextricably intertwined that ‘direct interference with the state court proceeding is inevitable,’ Younger may extend to bar the claims of plaintiffs who are not parties to the pending state proceeding.” Spargo, 351 F.3d at 82 (holding that two plaintiffs [political supporters of a state judge, the third plaintiff] presented First Amendment challenges with legal claims that were sufficiently intertwined with the judge’s state claims in that the case presented one of the narrow circumstances in which Younger applies to those not directly involved in the state court action) (citations omitted). While plaintiffs may seek similar relief or present parallel challenges to the constitutionality of • a state statute or policy, absent other factors establishing interwoven legal interests, Younger will not bar the federal action. Id. at 83. “Where courts have applied Younger abstention to non-parties, those courts have limited the doctrine’s application to instances where the non-parties ‘seek to directly interfere with the pending [state] proceeding.’ ” Citizens for a Strong Ohio v. Marsh, 123 Fed.Appx. 630, 635 (6th Cir.2005) (quoting Spargo, 351 F.3d at 85). In a recent decision from the Eastern District, Donohue v. Mangano, 886 F.Supp.2d 126 (E.D.N.Y.2012), the defendants argued that the Younger doctrine mandated abstention based upon an action in Supreme Court, Nassau County for injunctive and declaratory relief that was filed by one of the three sets of plaintiffs. The plaintiffs not involved in the state action argued that Younger did not extend to their claims because they were not a party to the ongoing state court proceedings. See id. at 143. The court held that while it was unlikely that the plaintiffs’ interests were inextricably intertwined for the purposes of Younger, it declined to definitively rule on that issue. See idi Rather, the court held that the relief sought by the plaintiffs in the state court action was remedial rather than coercive. See id. at 143-44. The court, relying upon holdings in other Circuits, reasoned that a “coercive” action is a state-initiated enforcement action in which the plaintiff does not have a choice to participate and one in which the federal plaintiff is the state court defendant. See id. In contrast, a “remedial” proceeding is one in which the plaintiff initiated an option to seek a remedy for the state’s wrongful action and to vindicate a wrong inflicted by the state. With that reasoning, the court held that the Nassau County action was “clearly remedial” and not the type of parallel state court proceeding requiring abstention under Younger. See id. at 143-45. Here, as in Donohue, defendants’ arguments in support of abstention are imprecise. Defendants argue that the Court should abstain from hearing this matter based upon a civil matter currently pending in Albany County but offer no further analysis or argument in favor of Younger. In the Albany County action, the petitioner, Retired Public Employees Association (“RPEA”), filed a petition pursuant to Article 78 against defendants herein. The petitioners, retirees from State service prior to October 1, 2011, petitioned for an order declaring the administrative implementation of an increase in the percentage of contributions by State retirees and/or their dependents based upon CSL § 167(8) invalid, null and void. The petitioners are also seeking an order declaring the emergency regulation filed on October 1, 2011 invalid, null and void, and are further seeking injunctive relief and a refund. On February 24, 2012, the respondents filed a motion to dismiss. Defendants argue that the RPEA case involves the same claims/issues presented herein and a facial challenge to CSL § 167(8). The Court has reviewed the RPEA pleadings annexed to defendants’ motion. Defendants do not dispute that plaintiffs herein are not a party in the state proceeding. Therefore, for the Younger doctrine to apply herein, defendants must establish that plaintiffs and the RPEA petitioners’ interests are “inextricably intertwined.” Defendants have failed to demonstrate that plaintiffs’ interests are so closely related that abstention is warranted. In the state action, petitioners have not asserted a contractual impairment claim based upon a CBA. Defendants have not established that plaintiffs’ interests will interfere with the state court proceeding, nor has it been established that plaintiffs have an adequate opportunity for judicial review of their federal claims in the pending state court action. Moreover, the state court action does not contain claims against defendants in their individual capacities. Courts have made clear that the Younger doctrine should be applied sparingly and cautiously to federal plaintiffs not parties to an ongoing state action. Accordingly, this Court finds that the parties and their claims are not “so closely related” to require Younger abstention. Standard on a Motion to Dismiss under 12(b)(6) A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure tests the legal sufficiency of the party’s claim for relief and pleadings without considering the substantive merits of the case. Global Network Commc’ns v. City of New York, 458 F.3d 150, 155 (2d Cir.2006); Patane v. Clark, 508 F.3d 106, 111-12 (2d Cir.2007). In considering the legal sufficiency, a court must accept as true all well-pleaded facts in the pleading and draw all reasonable inferences in the pleader’s favor. See ATSI Commc’ns, Inc. v. Shaar Fund, Ltd., 493 F.3d 87, 98 (2d Cir.2007) (citation omitted). This presumption of truth, however, does not extend to legal conclusions. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937,173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009) (citation omitted). “Generally, consideration of a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) is limited to consideration of the complaint itself’ unless all parties are given a reasonable opportunity to submit extrinsic evidence. Faulkner v. Beer, 463 F.3d 130, 134 (2d Cir.2006). In ruling on a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a district court generally must confíne itself to the four corners of the complaint and look only to the allegations contained therein. Robinson v. Town of Kent, N.Y., No. 11 Civ. 2875, 2012 WL 3024766, at *3-4 (S.D.N.Y. July 24, 2012) (citing Roth v. Jennings, 489 F.3d 499, 509 (2d Cir.2007)). To survive a motion to dismiss, a party need only plead “a short and plain statement of the claim,” see Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2), with sufficient facts “to ‘sho[w] that the pleader is entitled to relief[.]’ ” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 557, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007) (quotation omitted). Under this standard, the pleading’s “[fjactual .allegations must be enough to raise a right of relief above the speculative level,” see id. at 555, 127 S.Ct. 1955 (citation omitted), and present claims that are “plausible on [their] face.” Id. at 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955. “The plausibility standard is not akin to a ‘probability requirement,’ but it asks for more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937 (citation omitted). “Where a complaint pleads facts that are ‘merely consistent with’ a defendant’s liability, it ‘stops short of the line between possibility and plausibility of entitlement to relief.’ ” Id. (quoting Twombly,. 550 U.S. at 557, 127 S.Ct. 1955). Ultimately, “when the allegations in a complaint, however true, could not raise a claim of entitlement to relief,” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 558, 127 S.Ct. 1955, or where a plaintiff has “not nudged [its] claims across the line from conceivable to plausible, the [] complaint must be dismissed[.]” Id. at 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955. I. Claims Against Officials in their In- , dividual Capacity and Legislative Immunity “[Legislators are absolutely immune from suit in their individual capacities for all actions taken ‘in the sphere of legitimate legislative activity.’ ” Bogan v. Scoth-Harris, 523 U.S. 44, 54, 118 S.Ct. 966, 140 L.Ed.2d 79 (1998). Legislative immunity only protects municipal officers from civil liability when they .are sued in their personal capacities, and not when sued in their official capacities. Baines v. Masiello, 288 F.Supp.2d 376, 383 (W.D.N.Y.2003) (citations omitted). Legislative immunity may bar claims for money damages, injunctions and declaratory relief brought against state and local officials in their personal capacities. State Emp., 494 F.3d at 82 (citation omitted); Bogan, 523 U.S. 44, 54, 118 S.Ct. 966 (1998). “Whether an act is legislative turns on the nature of the act, rather than on the motive or intent of the official performing it.” Christian v. Town of Riga, 649 F.Supp.2d 84, 103-104 (W.D.N.Y.2009) (holding that legislative immunity shields an official from liability if the act in question was undertaken “in the sphere of legitimate legislative activity”) (quotation omitted). Two factors are relevant to determining whether a defendant’s acts are within that sphere: (1) whether the actions were an integral part of the legislative process; and (2) whether the actions were legislative “in substance” and “bore the hallmarks of traditional legislation.” Bogan, 523 U.S. at 54-56, 118 S.Ct. 966. Such traditional legislation includes “policymaking decisions implicating budgetary priorities and services the government provides to it’s constituents.” Id. Legislative immunity applies to acts within the “legislative sphere” even where the conduct, “if performed in other than legislative contexts, would in itself be unconstitutional or otherwise contrary to criminal or civil statutes.” Doe v. McMillan, 412 U.S. 306, 312-13, 93 S.Ct. 2018, 36 L.Ed.2d 912 (1973) (quotation omitted). Before defendants in the instant case can invoke legislative immunity, they have the burden of establishing both of the following: (1) that the acts giving rise to the harm alleged in the complaint were undertaken when defendants were acting in their legislative capacities under the functional test set forth in Bogan; and (2) that the particular relief sought would enjoin defendants in their legislative capacities, and not in some other capacity in which they would not be entitled to legislative immunity. State Emp., 494 F.3d at 89; see also Canary v. Osborn, 211 F.3d 324, 328 (6th Cir.2000) (holding that the burden is on the defendants to establish the existence of absolute legislative immunity). Here, defendants argue that by issuing the regulations, they were fulfilling discretionary, policymaking functions implicating State budgetary priorities. As discussed supra, plaintiffs claim that defendants acts were ultra vires, without authority and null and void. Cplt. at ¶¶ 115-118, 163, 164. Taking the allegations in the complaint as true, as the Court must do on a motion to dismiss, plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that defendants Hite and Megna were acting beyond the scope of their authority as public officials. Drawing all reasonable inferences in plaintiffs’ favor, the Court finds that the allegations are sufficiently pled to defeat defendants’ motion at this stage of the litigation. See Collin Cnty. Tex. v. Homeowners Ass’n for Values Essential to Neighborhoods (HAVEN), 654 F.Supp. 943, 949 (N.D.Tex.1987) (holding that the plaintiffs allegations that the defendants’ actions were “ultra vires” in character and that they acted outside of their capacities as public officials arguably “deprives the defendants of Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal based upon an absolute immunity defense”). At this stage of the litigation, based upon the sparse record, the Court cannot state as a matter of law, that defendants are entitled to legislative immunity. See Phillips v. Town of Brookhaven, 216 A.D.2d 374, 375, 628 N.Y.S.2d 723 (2d Dep’t 1995) (“It cannot be determined on the instant record that the individual defendants were acting exclusively in a legislative capacity, which is required for immunity to attach”); see also Moxley v. Town of Walkersville, 601 F.Supp.2d . 648, 662 (D.Md.2009) (holding that “the doctrine of legislative immunity is not uniquely asserted on motions to dismiss”). This ruling does not prevent defendants from renewing their motion with respect to the applicability of the doctrine of legislative immunity after sufficient discovery and development of the record. II. Contract Clause Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution prohibits states from passing any law “impairing the Obligation of Contracts.” While the language of the Contracts Clause is absolute on its face, “[i]t does not trump the police power of a state to protect the general welfare of its citizens, a power which is ‘paramount to any rights under contracts between individuals.’ ” Buffalo Teachers Fed’n v. Tobe, 464 F.3d 362, 367 (2d Cir.2006) (holding that courts must accommodate the Contracts Clause with the inherent police power of the state to safeguard the vital interests of its people) (quoting Allied Structural Steel Co. v. Spannaus, 438 U.S. 234, 241, 98 S.Ct. 2716, 57 L.Ed.2d 727 (1978)). To state a cause of action for violation of the Contracts Clause, a complaint must allege sufficient facts demonstrating that a state law has “operated as a substantial impairment of a contractual relationship.” Nunez v. Cuomo, No. 11-CV-3457, 2012 WL 3241260, at *6 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 7, 2012) (citing Harmon v. Markus, 412 Fed.Appx. 420, 423 (2d Cir.2011)). In this regard, there are three factors that the Court will consider: (1) whether a contractual relationship exists; (2) whether a change in law impairs that contractual relationship; and (3) whether the impairment is substantial. . Harmon, 412 Fed.Appx. at 423. A state law that impairs a contractual obligation will not be deemed unconstitutional so long as: (1) it serves a demonstrated legitimate public purpose, such as remedying a general social or economic problem; and (2) the means chosen to accomplish the public purpose is reasonable and necessary. See Buffalo Teachers Fed’n, 464 F.3d at 368. A. Existence of a Contractual Relationship In Vested Rights Defendants argue that no express or implied contract obligates them to provide “optional health insurance with a perpetually fixed contribution rate.” Rather, defendants contend that the CBA provided members with guarantees for the duration of the collective bargaining agreement only. Plaintiffs claim that the State has a contractual obligation to contribute a fixed amount toward all retiree health insurance for those