At Thursday’s session, members of the minority caucus introduced a resolution opposing proposed raises for elected officials at the state level. The resolution passed by an 8-3 vote.

The proposed salary increases would make New York State lawmakers the highest paid in the nation. A four-member pay compensation panel proposed raising salaries to $130,000 over the next three years. Additionally, the panel proposed raising the Governor’s salary from $179,000 to $250,000 in 2021. The Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller would also receive raises.

Legislator Lynne Dixon said, “A 63 percent raise is unheard of for most of the workforce. This is not the time for New York State to be inflating salaries for those who are expected to be public servants.”

Minority Leader Joe Lorigo said, “Holding a government office is considered public service, not a career.  If your only concern is being re-elected, you lose your investment in the community. I urge our state representatives to do what is right for the taxpayers and reject this proposal.”

Legislator Ed Rath said, “Members of the Senate and Assembly are already receiving a base pay of $79,000 with stipends beyond that. When the average household in Erie County only makes $54,000 per year, this is a disservice to the taxpayers.”

Legislator John Mills said, “New York State is one of the highest taxed states in the country. It is insulting for state leadership to receive a significant raise when the average person is burdened by our inflated taxes.”

The resolution also expresses opposition to the recent proposed ban on outside income. A copy of the resolution can be found here.