Legislators in Albany approved a bill Thursday that would increase their salaries by $32,000. The measure was approved in the Senate by a 33-23 vote, while the Assembly passed it by an 81-52 margin. Two area lawmakers voted against the measure, which was passed during a special session. Senator George Borrello called the bill "a self-serving feast," while Assemblyman Joe Giglio called the move "unconscionable."
Senator George Borrello released the following statement:
As most New Yorkers are busy preparing to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, the Democratic majorities in the State Legislature cooked up a self-serving feast of their own in the form of a whopping $32,000 pay raise. This increase means that New York State legislators will be the highest paid in the country at $142,000. Coming just weeks after a 2022 election where Democratic legislative candidates made no mention that a 29 percent pay raise for themselves was in the works, this deceitful move only confirms New Yorkers' worst perceptions of its political leaders.
Their attempt to buy political cover by instituting a ban on outside income won't make Albany better, it will make it worse. With this ban, we will be discouraging enterprising, accomplished individuals with real-world experience from entering public service and moving closer to eradicating the "citizen legislator" -- that individual who serves, not for a hefty salary, but because they want to contribute to their state. The end result will be more "professional politicians" and more out-of-touch policies that hurt New Yorkers.
What state residents have said they wanted in poll after poll was for legislators to return to Albany to fix the dangerous mess they've made of our criminal justice system. The Democratic majorities flatly rejected those requests. Instead, they pursued their own selfish agenda by passing legislation that will put legislators' pay at nearly double the median household income for New York families. New Yorkers deserve better...far better. That is why I vehemently opposed this proposal and voted "no."
Assemblyman Joe Giglio released this statement:
I am disgusted at the introduction of legislation to increase the salaries of New York state lawmakers. At a time when the prices of fuel, food, home heating oil and basic necessities have all increased, it is unconscionable that the Majorities in the New York state legislature, with the cooperation of the governor, decided to implement a $32,000 a year legislative pay raise. No one warned taxpayers that this would be on the table during the election. They are the ones who should have decided on this issue at the ballot box, not a special session. We need leaders who prioritize bettering the lives of every resident of this state, not politicians who have constituents foot the bill to make elected officials in New York State the highest-paid legislative body in the country. I am very disappointed in my colleagues in the Majority and firmly voted no on this action.
No wonder they won't lock the crooks up. They are the crooks.
Senator George Borrello released the following statement:
As most New Yorkers are busy preparing to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, the Democratic majorities in the State Legislature cooked up a self-serving feast of their own in the form of a whopping $32,000 pay raise. This increase means that New York State legislators will be the highest paid in the country at $142,000. Coming just weeks after a 2022 election where Democratic legislative candidates made no mention that a 29 percent pay raise for themselves was in the works, this deceitful move only confirms New Yorkers' worst perceptions of its political leaders.
Their attempt to buy political cover by instituting a ban on outside income won't make Albany better, it will make it worse. With this ban, we will be discouraging enterprising, accomplished individuals with real-world experience from entering public service and moving closer to eradicating the "citizen legislator" -- that individual who serves, not for a hefty salary, but because they want to contribute to their state. The end result will be more "professional politicians" and more out-of-touch policies that hurt New Yorkers.
What state residents have said they wanted in poll after poll was for legislators to return to Albany to fix the dangerous mess they've made of our criminal justice system. The Democratic majorities flatly rejected those requests. Instead, they pursued their own selfish agenda by passing legislation that will put legislators' pay at nearly double the median household income for New York families. New Yorkers deserve better...far better. That is why I vehemently opposed this proposal and voted "no."
Assemblyman Joe Giglio released this statement:
I am disgusted at the introduction of legislation to increase the salaries of New York state lawmakers. At a time when the prices of fuel, food, home heating oil and basic necessities have all increased, it is unconscionable that the Majorities in the New York state legislature, with the cooperation of the governor, decided to implement a $32,000 a year legislative pay raise. No one warned taxpayers that this would be on the table during the election. They are the ones who should have decided on this issue at the ballot box, not a special session. We need leaders who prioritize bettering the lives of every resident of this state, not politicians who have constituents foot the bill to make elected officials in New York State the highest-paid legislative body in the country. I am very disappointed in my colleagues in the Majority and firmly voted no on this action.
No wonder they won't lock the crooks up. They are the crooks.
