Senator Latimer Backs Legislation Banning Double-Dipping by State Politicians

From the Office of NY Senator George Latimer:

Senator George Latimer has co-sponsored legislation to protect taxpayer money and bar legislators and other elected officials from “double-dipping” -- receiving two taxpayer funded income sources during their time in office. Under current law, eligible state legislators can retire and collect their state pension, even though they still serve in the Senate or Assembly. The measure (S.680) sponsored by Sen. Tony Avella of Queens, and having bi-partisan support, is one of several ethics issues advanced by Senator Latimer. The bill closes a loophole in state law allowing elected officials to receive a retirement pension as well as their governmental salaries, both at the public’s expense.

“State government has a responsibility to use taxpayer money wisely, and politicians should not exploit loopholes to enrich themselves at New Yorkers’ expense,” Senator George Latimer said. “It is unethical for lawmakers and other electeds to collect pension money while still in office, and that is why I’m fighting to end this practice.”

Current law creates an opportunity for double-dipping when an elected official has been in office for so long that they are able to officially retire and collect a pension while they continue to hold office and receive a public salary. Currently several State Senators are taking home up to or in excess of $200,000 a year from their position as senators, including their salary, lulus (additional payment for chairing a committee or a leadership position), and their state pensions. Senator Latimer supports prohibiting any elected official from collecting their public retirement pension while still in office if that pension is earned from an elective public office. This common sense measure would save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and better protect the retirement pension system.

“The fact that lawmakers and other elected officials are able to use taxpayer dollars to double their own pay for part-time work is appalling. It is time that we put an end to this offensive practice,” Senator Latimer concluded.

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