ALBANY – Leaders in both the State Assembly and Senate have pulled another midnight maneuver to add $32,000 to their annual pay as part-time lawmakers.
Under the proposed plan, pay would increase from $110,000 per year for all senators and assembly members to $142,000 effective January 1, 2023.
There would be a restriction on outside income effective January 1, 2023.
This would make New York lawmakers the highest paid in the country.
It is expected that both houses will vote on the raises during a special session on Thursday.
The lawmakers also receive health and pension benefits.
A prior approved raise that was supposed to have taken the legislature to $130,000 in 2021 was invalidated by a judge. This plan far exceeds anything previously scheduled.
Senator Sue Serino (R, Hyde Park), who lost a reelection bid with redistricting, is “disgusted” by the proposal by the legislature’s “supermajority” of Democrats.
“Every day I hear from neighbors who are struggling to get by. Instead of calling a special session to provide New Yorkers much-needed relief, out of touch politicians will travel to Albany this week on the taxpayers’ dime to give themselves an exorbitant pay raise,” Serino said. “I have opposed a raise for lawmakers throughout my time in office, and I remain vehemently opposed today. Any legislator who votes in favor of this bill should be ashamed and must answer to their constituents who are struggling to pay for basic necessities like food, electricity and heat this holiday season.”
New York lawmakers also receive per diems and travel reimbursements for each trip they make to Albany, adding to the tab taxpayers will be picking up when lawmakers return to the Capitol this week for the vote.
Serino is one of few legislators who has refused to accept per diems or travel reimbursements throughout her time in office.
