Albany Times Union

Heastie argues for salary boosts

“Economic realities” cited since last pay bump 20 years ago

- By David Lombardo

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.

David.lombardo@ timesunion.com 518.454.5427 - @poozer87

 ?? Will waldron / Times Union archive ?? Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie urged a panel to grant legislator­s a raise. He didn’t give a specific answer to questions about outside incomes.
Will waldron / Times Union archive Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie urged a panel to grant legislator­s a raise. He didn’t give a specific answer to questions about outside incomes.

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