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Pay Raise For
Lawmakers In N.Y. Is Sensitive Topic Nick Reisman Want a pay raise but can't even talk about it, let alone complain about it? That's the position state lawmakers find themselves in after seven years with the same salary. In an era in which reform has become a buzzword, a salary increase is the elephant in the room. But with the cost of living steadily rising, some lawmakers feel it's time to broach the topic. "When you look at the basic costs that some of us
incur, then you get a sense why it's certainly appropriate to talk about a
pay raise," said Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Mount Vernon, A skeptical public, wary of The state constitution does not allow a sitting Legislature to increase its own pay, meaning any hike is out until at least 2007. Spokesmen for both Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans said there's no talk of raises now. "A pay raise would go over like a lead balloon," said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group. Lawmakers last raised their own pay seven years ago, a 38
percent increase from $57,500. That raise made Don't feel too bad for your state legislator. The $79,500 is just the base salary. Most likely he or she also gets a "lulu," as extra payments for leadership duties are known. But if a raise is ever considered, it could be part of a package that modifies or abolishes "lulus." During the last legislative session, Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, introduced a rule change that would have done away with lulus. It never came up for a vote. All 62 senators and about three-quarters of the 150 Assembly members get extra stipends in addition to the base salary, raising the average total salary to almost $92,000 a year. The stipends range from $8,000 a year for a ranking committee position to $43,000 for the two top leaders. In most states and the U.S. Congress, extra payments are
limited to only the top leaders. What sets The system has some defenders. Assemblyman Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, gets an extra $10,625 a year as chairman of the Minority Program Committee. That involves traveling around the state to drum up support for party causes. "I am interested in helping our conference and putting the time in. It usually requires you to be above and beyond," he said. |
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