Op-Ed: Latimer Opposes 47 Percent Raise for NY State Lawmakers

State Sen. George Latimer (37, D-Westchester) writes to oppose a 47 percent pay raise for all New York legislators. A state commission tasked with the issue — lawmakers had their last raise in 1999 — is considering bumping legislators’ salaries from $79,500 to $116,900. The commission's recommendation will become law automatically unless voted down by the lawmakers.

From Sen. Latimer:

I've been a State Senator since 2013 and a member of the Assembly before that, for four terms. I do not support a pay raise at this time, and will not take it if it passes.Unfortunately, I do believe that if a pay raise is provided by the Commission that was created to consider one this year, the current leadership of the State Legislature will most likely not lift a finger to stop it. As one member of a 63 member Senate, I have a vote on the leadership of the Democratic Conference and one vote on the leadership of the Senate. The rules of the Senate are such that once that vote is taken, the Senate Majority Leader has full reign over what bills come to the floor. The Majority Leader controls when debate starts, when it ends, manipulate the rules of debate, and has the power to block bills from coming to the floor. There are established rules and procedures for how we make laws. I don't always agree with them, but I must abide by those rules. Let me mention that this is not just about me. This process; these rules...they apply to every legislator. As for what I will do personally if a raise is granted by the Commission, I will ask Senate payroll staff to pay me only my current salary, and ask they retain the new added amount in the State treasury. If they tell me that is not possible, then I will donate the difference between my current salary and any new remuneration to charity until such time as the legislature steps up, does its job and passes real ethics reform.

Such reform includes again passing pass the pension forfeiture legislation that will create a constitution amendment vote, close the existing LLC loophole, severely limit, if not eliminate, outside income for Legislators ; and reduce the maximum amounts that can be donated to campaigns. This would be a start at protecting New Yorkers from those that look to game the system.

PHOTO/Sen. Latimer's Office