State politicians are likely to give themselves a special gift this holiday season, courtesy of New York State taxpayers. The State Senate and Assembly will vote on whether to give themselves a major raise, making them the highest paid State lawmakers in the United States.
The vote is expected to come in an emergency session later this week. The Senate and Assembly are currently enjoying a recess since they are only in session from January through June each year. The Senate, Assembly, and Governor Kathy Hochul would need to approve the bill.
The anticipated major raise comes just after New York State Comptroller reported 14% of all residents across the Empire State now live in poverty (story here). The U.S. Census Bureau reported that New York is the third highest state is the nation for residents fleeing, in part due to high taxes.
The bill, shown below, would increase the base salary of State Senators and Assemblymembers by $32,000 per year, providing them with an annual salary of $142,000. If approved, it will become effective this New Year’s Day. It would also allow them to collect an additional $35,000 per year income from working other jobs.
Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, who is ending his term this year, said he will be voting no. “To sneak a vote in to make New York State Legislators the highest paid in the nation during a period of economic turmoil for so many New Yorkers is unacceptable,” Schmitt declared. “I unequivocally oppose the massive $32,000 taxpayer-funded pay raise for state legislators expected to be voted on during an end-of-term special session.”
Schmitt, a Republican, blamed Hochul and New York City Democrats. “This is yet another indicator of how out of touch New York City Democratic legislative leaders and Governor Hochul are with the everyday New Yorker. Any state legislator who votes yes on this bill must and will be held accountable.”
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, a Republican from Putnam County, warned, “If I get called back next week for a special legislative session trust I will be voting no on this proposed self-serving pay raise for Albany politicians. The status quo politicians in Albany failed our state with their pro criminal, big government, tax and spend policies.”
Byrne is referring to the Bail Reform Act, which many politicians have ridiculed for allowing dangerous criminals to be set free without bail. Lawmakers have rejected requests from Democrats and Republicans to call an emergency session to repair the bail laws.
