NY Lawmakers OK Pay Raises For Governor, Lt. Governor [POLL]

In the wee hours of April 1 — no fooling — the Senate OK'd salary increases for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt Gov. Kathy Hochul. A couple of hours later, the Assembly followed suit.

The vote came after Albany approved the budget for the state's fiscal year 2019-20.

Cuomo's $200,000 per year salary will go up to $225,000 next year and then $250,000 in 2021, the New York Post said. Hochul's will increase from $190,000 to $220,000 in 2021.

When Cuomo's increase kicks in, he will be the highest-paid governor in the U.S., topping Gavin Newsom in California, who currently makes $202,000.

Both the governor's and lieutenant governor's increases were recommended by a state pay commission last year.

However, legislative approval was required, WKTV.com said. Cuomo couldn't put a raise in for himself.

The pay bumps come after state lawmakers and top agency heads were given salary increases that were also recommended by the pay commission, though the raises automatically kicked in at the beginning of the year, The Buffalo News said.

Lawmakers, though, hadn't seen an increase in salary since 1999. Their base pay will go up from $79,500 to $110,000 in January. In 2021, it will go up to $130,000.

Cuomo, for his part, said he didn't take a position on whether his salary should be increased.

He told reporters that he didn't want to have a personal agenda in any pay raise discussion, democratandchronicle.com said.

Sen. Rich Funke, R-Monroe and Ontario counties, tweeted his displeasure about Cuomo's pay hike after the vote, pointing out that 24 senators voted against the raise, most of whom were fellow Republicans.

"Regardless of our differences on the issues I think we agree the Governors [sic] tactics and machinations should not be rewarded," Funke tweeted.

Now it's time for you to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.