NY Democrats give themselves 29% pay raise days before Christmas trends now
New York Democrats voted to give themselves a 29 percent salary increase just days before Christmas, potentially making Albany the highest-paid state legislature in the nation.
Members of the state Assembly and Senate would make a base salary of $142,000 under a bill they passed during a special session, a $32,000 raise from their current $110,000. Their new salary is three times the average New Yorkers' salary of $43,208.
Their last pay raise was in 2018, when they went from $79,500 to $110,000. It was the first time in 20 years New York Legislators received an increase. Their pay in 1998 was $57,500.
The new increase, if approved by Governor Kathy Hochul, would send them racing ahead of state lawmakers in California, who are currently the nation's best-paid legislators with a yearly base pay of about $119,000, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
New York's lawmakers, however, would also face restrictions for the first time on how much they can make from outside jobs.
Outside income would be capped at $35,000, starting in 2025. Pay in excess of that from military service, retirement plans or investments would still be allowed.
State Senators and the Assembly voted to give themselves a $32,000 raise from $110,000 to $142,000 a year. It is the first time they've received a raise since 2018, when they jumped from $79,500 to the current salary
The effort was largely pushed by Democrats and liberal Governor Kathy Hochul has 30 days to sign or veto it (pictured: Assemblyman Edward Ra)
Democratic Senator Sean Ryan said state legislators' salaries 'should be tied to inflation, but until we make that significant change, it is reasonable to periodically adjust them accordingly.'
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, said legislators work hard all year round and deserved a raise to cover the increased cost of living, which inflation has risen seven percent.
'It's a full-time job,' she said. 'Sooner or later in order to be able to afford to do the job, we have to raise pay.'
However, many Republicans rebuked the idea, as many of the legislators' own constituents haven't received inflation pay raises at their own jobs.
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said he found the raise 'patently offensive to the people we represent.'
'Albany's One Party Ruling Class continues to put their own misplaced priorities first,' Ortt said in a statement.
Republican Senator George Borrello agreed, telling the legislators on Thursday that 'the majority of New Yorkers - not even close - would say you should go back to Albany for a special session and give yourself a raise and pat yourselves on the back.'
'Well, that's what we're doing today,' he told his colleagues.
He criticized the fact that they had returned to Albany to just vote on a pay raise, instead of focusing on 'criminal justice reforms' and 'fixing the unemployment insurance fund.'
New York lawmakers, especially in the city, have faced heavy criticism for the spike in crime, which is up 23 percent in the Big Apple, as of December 18.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (pictured), a Democrat, said legislators work hard all year round and deserved a raise to cover the increased cost of living, which inflation has risen seven percent
Democrats argued that their salaries should be 'tied to inflation' and there's nothing wrong with an increase in
