4 years ago
For several weeks, 2 On Your Side has told you about the possibility that state lawmakers in Albany may vote for a pay raise for themselves in mid-December.
WEB EXTRA: Want to tell them what you think about it? CLICK HERE to tell lawmakers what you think of the idea
2 On Your Side asked members of the western New York delegation how they would vote if a bill came before them. Every member we contacted except one has now told us they would vote no.
Monday, 2 On Your Side asked Senator Dale Volker about the pay raise issue during a break in the hearings concerning the fate of western New York hospitals. Volker said it's a non-issue, but would vote against it if it's brought before the legislature.
"It's not a big issue and your station is trying to make it a big issue," said Volker. "The reason I haven't responded is because it wasn't really an issue. It hasn't been an issue."
2 On Your Side's Scott Brown asked Senator Volker if there would be a vote this week. "I don't know, I truly don't know, but I can tell you this. Us upstaters are not going to vote for it if it's going to happen." Volker said that includes him as well.
Watch streaming video of the interview with Senator Volker by clicking on the video links to the right.
Read more about the angry response directed at 2 On Your side from an aide to State Senator Volker.
Last week, Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz said he "is not opposed" to a pay raise, and has voted in favor of them before, but would first discuss it with his colleagues.
State lawmakers will return to Albany December 13 to make decisions on matters including sexual offenders, but it is widely known they may also end up voting for a pay raise for themselves for next term. One lawmaker called it "the worst kept secret" in Albany.
The measure is being pushed by downstate lawmakers, who say the base pay of $79,500 is not enough for their living expenses, plus, lawmakers have not had a raise since 1998.
Senator Nick Spano of Yonkers(R) said he supports a pay raise, but understands the concern upstate.
"We understand that people in upstate New York have some very severe needs and there are problems with jobs and unemployment, and $79,000 is a lot of money for people who live in upstate," Spano said.
He and other downstate lawmakers who support a raise say besides their cost of living, New York City Councilmembers now make more than state legislators, with a base pay of $110,000.
The majority of Western New York lawmakers contacted by 2 On Your Side said they will vote no if a pay raise is brought up for a vote.
Lawmakers who said they would vote no are: Senators Dale Volker, George Maziarz, Bill Stachowski, and Mary Lou Rath, and Assemblymembers Robin Schimminger, Jack Quinn, Sam Hoyt, Francine Delmonte, Mark Schroeder, Crystal Peoples and Jim Hayes.
On Friday, Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz's reponse was maybe.
"Our downstate members are very, very much in favor of a pay raise. Upstate members are generally opposed to it," Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz said. 2 On Your Side's Robyn Young asked, "Are you opposed to it?" Tokasz responded, "You know what, I have voted for a pay raise in the past, and I will talk to my colleagues if it comes up as an issue. I am not opposed to it."
However, Tokasz said for now, the issue of a pay raise is not on the agenda.
Based on base pay, New York lawmakers are the third highest paid in the country behind California and Michigan. When considering their average pay with the thousands of additional dollars many earn for committee memberships, the average New York legislator makes more than $90,000, the second highest in the country.
The legislature reconvenes on Wednesday, and currently there is no bill concerning pay raises before lawmakers. But, conceivably, one could be drafted just hours before a vote is taken.
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