Concerns Over Pay Raises in Albany
It seems that some lawmakers in Albany are feeling a bit of salary envy. Following recent pay hikes by New York City council members, there are talks about significant salary increases for state legislators, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The City Council recently raised its own salaries to $175,000—a notable leap from the $142,000 that state legislators currently receive. This shift has effectively knocked Albany’s assembly members and state senators off their pedestal as the highest-paid lawmakers in the Empire State.
“We’re not in that position anymore, like the City Council is,” one lawmaker remarked, highlighting the newfound disparity.
Officials worry that the salary increase in New York City could trigger similar movements in Albany. Lawmakers last convened for a special session in December 2022, which was greenlit by Governor Kathy Hochul.
For any potential pay hike in Albany, Congress might need to come back for a winter session, but Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie emphasized that this possibility isn’t currently on the table.
Yet, Heastie has left the door open for lawmakers to reprise their previous actions regarding pay raises. “I’m not sure if there’s enough funding to compensate for the sacrifices legislators make,” he said, referencing his own time away from family during the legislative year.
As the highest-paid state legislator in the country, Heastie faces questions about these recent adjustments. The raises for City Council members still fall short of the $270,000 that their counterparts in Los Angeles earn.
In a 42-6 vote, the pay increase faced opposition primarily from Republicans and some conservative Democrats, with City Council President Julie Menin choosing to abstain. Both she and Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who will have a salary of $305,800, have pledged to reject such steep raises, though new salaries affect their successors as well.
A recent proposal in Albany from state Senator James Sanders (D-Queens) aimed to raise legislative salaries to $180,000. Some lawmakers are concerned about the timing of pay raises after Albany dealt with significant budget challenges. However, there’s a sense that it might be the right time for salary discussions—albeit after a brief pause.
One lawmaker pointed out, “We probably won’t hear anything until November.” On the other hand, Rep. Tony Simone (D-Manhattan) argued that competitive salaries are essential for attracting skilled candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Rachel Faus, a senior policy advisor with the organization Reinvent Albany, suggests that comparing salaries between city council members and state legislators isn’t exactly fair. She noted that while city council members can’t earn outside income, state legislators are permitted to earn up to 25%, which translates to approximately $35,500.
Faus argues for tightening the rules on outside income, and insists that an independent commission should determine lawmakers’ pay to ensure fairness.
Meanwhile, with previous reforms to pension systems this year, many Albany legislators have effectively already granted themselves raises, affecting a notable portion of the assembly.
