New York lawmakers receive pay increases that place them among the highest-paid in the country

A bill enacted on Saturday has made New York state legislators the highest paid in the country just in time for the New Year.

A law that Governor Kathy Hochul signed the day before her inauguration on Sunday will give members of both houses a pay boost of $32,000 for a base salary of $142,000.

Their former income of $110,000 represents a 29% increase.

On Sunday, the law became effective.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, California was the highest-paid state legislator before the pay increase, with an annual base salary of $119,000.

At a late-December special session, the New York state legislature approved the wage raise legislation.

However, the new salary increase has several limitations.

Outside earnings will be capped at $35,000 beginning in 2025.

Military pay beyond that amount, retirement benefits and investment income are still permitted.

Democrats in the legislature supported the pay increase and said it was required to keep up with the expense of living.

However, some Republican legislators opposed the bill during the special session and criticized the restriction on outside income.

Albany won’t become better due to their attempt to buy political cover by enforcing a restriction on outside revenue, according to state senator George Borrello, who voted against the legislation.

According to Borrello, the restriction would deter “enterprising, successful persons with real-world experience from entering public service” or citizen legislators.

State legislators last received a wage increase in 2018, the first boost in more than 20 years.