New York lawmakers are considering whether to have a special session this month to vote on, among other things, a pay raise. It would be their first pay increase in about two decades. Governor Andrew Cuomo has listed items he’d like to see passed if there’s a session, including term limits for legislators. But the Assembly Majority Leader says that item is likely off the table, because most Democratic members are against it. Cuomo also wants to enact reforms, including converting to a full-time Legislature and strictly limiting outside income, following recent corruption scandals that have resulted in prison sentences for the two former legislative leaders.
What do you think about state lawmakers getting a pay raise? Do you think the governor is dangling the raise in front of them to get his initiatives passed? Here to help answer those questions and others are Barbara Bartoletti and Ken Girardin.
Barbara is legislative director of the New York State League of Women Voters. Ken is the communications and marketing manager for the Empire Center for Public Policy.
The Vox Pop line is a toll free call. 800-348-2551. You may also email your questions/comments to VoxPop@wamc.org
