A study by a reform group finds that if New York were to ban outside income for lawmakers, it would actually effect only a small number of legislators.
Common Cause examined disclosure records from all 213 state lawmakers and found that, only about one third actually claim outside income in addition to their nearly $80,000-a-year salaries. Many also receive extra stipends for committee chairs or leadership posts.
The group’s Susan Lerner says a ban on outside income or even strict limits, would not be a hardship for most.
“It’s a small number of people with fairly large amounts that are really creating this problem for the body as a whole,” Lerner said.
Only 11 state lawmakers made $100,000 or more from their outside jobs. Lerner says the group found no evidence of a conflict of interest in the earnings so far.
