A New York state senator from the Hudson Valley has introduced a bill that would bring voters into the mix regarding any legislative pay raises.
Republican state senator Sue Serino says her bill would require voters to approve any legislative pay raise proposed by the compensation commission. The Hyde Park lawmaker opposes a pay raise and voted against the establishment of the pay commission in the last budget. The commission recommends gradually increasing legislators’ annual salaries from $79,500 a year to $130,000 a year, while restricting outside income. In a statement, Serino, said, "With New York politicians poised to become the highest paid in the nation, New Yorkers themselves deserve a say in the process, it’s that simple.”