Heastie argues for salary boosts
“Economic realities” cited since last pay bump 20 years ago
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie believes he and his colleagues are long overdue for a pay raise.
Speaking on Friday in Manhattan before a compensation panel with the power to grant that wish before the end of the year, the Bronx Democrat laid out his argument for why state legislators should get their first salary boost in 20 years. He highlighted growing costs that have diminished their purchasing power, and stressed that while the legislative session only runs six months, members of the state Assembly work full-time for their constituents.
“Under any objective measure, our static compensation has failed to keep pace with economic realities,”
Heastie said. “... Legislators are not insulated from the financial pressures that are experienced by their constituents.”
Questioned by committee members, Heastie waffled on whether he would back limitations on lawmakers’ outside income. He said that a recommendation from the committee in this area would be taken “seriously.”
Cuomo is calling for such limitations, and incoming state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-cousins has supported restrictions in the past.
Bronx resident Roxanne Delgado had little sympathy for Heastie’s case, telling the panel that she is able to survive on “barely one-third” what the speaker makes. In addition to a base legislative salary of $79,500, which was set in 1999, Heastie also earns a leadership stipend of $41,500 and qualifies for per diems based on work in Albany. Rank-and-file lawmakers earn significantly less.
These competing arguments will be factored in with the five other voices that were heard at the second — and final — public hearing of the committee, which has the power to grant salary increases for elected state officials and executive branch appointees. According to legislation passed in last spring’s state budget deal, any recommendations made by the Dec. 10 deadline will carry the weight of law, unless they’re overruled by legislative action.
This process was repeatedly called into question on Friday by speakers who believe it was unconstitutional for the Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the state Legislature to delegate their authority in this manner.
Constitutional activist James Coll noted that when the state legislators wanted to hand off their power to redesign legislative districts, they needed to amend the state constitution. He said a similar course of action was needed to create the compensation committee. Without an amendment, he said it would only be proper for the committee to make a recommendation that the Legislature and governor would have to adopt into law.
Committee Chair Carl Mccall declined to weigh in on the constitutionality of their role when asked at Wednesday’s hearing in Albany.
There is also some debate about whether the committee has the ability to address ancillary issues, such as restrictions on outside employment, or whether these changes would have to be handled separately by the Legislature.
The issue of outside income earned by elected officials was a top concern on Friday for good government groups, which support raising salaries by at least 50 percent and limiting special stipends — called “lulus” — paid to legislative leaders.
In addition to limiting the amount of outside income, Reinvent Albany senior policy advisor Alex Camarda called for bans on certain sources of income, such as book royalties and honorariums. Common Cause New York Executive Director Susan Lerner wanted a ban on all outside income, but would accept a limitation.
While the committee’s power over the 213 legislative salaries has dominated the discussion about their work, the fourperson group of current and former comptrollers will also have a say in the salaries of statewide elected officials and executive agency commissioners.
Public Service Commissioner Diane Burman asked the committee to give her salary of $109,800 a bump, and noted that 123 of her underlings in the agency made more than her in 2017.
“It’s not about the money,” she said. “It’s really about the fairness.”
Camarda, who recommended a 50 percent increase for commissioners, also called for limiting the discrepancies in pay based on agency. Cuomo has maintained for years that the base salaries for commissioners, which top out at $136,000, make it hard to recruit and keep top talent.
Much like the use of leadership stipends in the Legislature, governors have found ways around the salary restrictions for commissioners by paying them for additional duties or having them serve in acting capacities.
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