Open Mike: Latimer on Pay Raises
01 Aug, 2012
By Loop Contributor
As a member of the New York State Assembly, it should be clear to all that things have gotten better over the last two years in state government, under the strong leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Two on-time state budgets, balanced without new taxes; eliminating the MTA payroll tax for small businesses and schools; making a wise commitment to address our overdue infrastructure needs such as the Tappan Zee Bridge; passing a tough new ethics law; expanding the DNA databank to catch criminals and exonerate the innocent – all of these and more are positive steps in Albany.
In light of some legislative successes, unfortunately, talk has surfaced regarding pay raises for State Legislators, to be passed at the end of this year.
This is absolutely the wrong time for a pay raise.
The members of the Legislature have gone since 1999 without an increase in base salary; I know personally how hard it is to make ends meet in Westchester, given the bills we have to pay, for those of us like me who are not personally wealthy. My New York City colleagues compare our base pay of $79,500 to their City Council compatriots, who receive $112,000. per year, and they complain bitterly.
But serving in public office should never be about “us” – those elected. It must always be about “you” – the residents. This nation, and this state, still endure a difficult economic time. Many are unemployed; many more are under-employed, all worrying every day about simply staying afloat: keeping their homes, paying their bills. They certainly do not want to hear state legislators proclaiming that they are being treated “unfairly” without a pay increase, when many in the society are struggling to survive.
The accomplishments of 2011 and 2012 in the state government are real, but the unfinished agenda of business is exceedingly long, starting with relieving the burden of unusually high property taxes on suburban and upstate homeowners. New York State places more unfunded mandates on local governments and school districts than any other state in the nation, a construct of both Republicans and Democrats in Albany dating back 50 years or so. Correcting this imbalance will take more than a year or two of good results.
The voters will reject any pay raise if they cannot connect it to consistent positive results. A premature push will engender a political backlash; voters will feel that legislators are “out of touch” with the way they feel. Any progress made over the past two years “on the road back” to proper governance will be utterly lost.
Some of the disconnect is the difference between New York City voters and their representatives, and those who live in the suburbs and upstate. New York City homeowners do not live with a crushing property tax burden; the large commercial real estate base in the city – and a local personal income tax – funds local governance. Outside of New York City, nearly every conversation on government begins with the outcry over the size of one’s own property tax bill. This is no time to focus away from the core tasks of tax relief, job development and effective service delivery.
Whether or not legislators “deserve” a pay raise is a very subjective thing, based on the individual’s point of view. Overall, however, there is still so much work to be done to solve problems, and clean up Albany’s mess – and that task must come first.
I hope we will not see a pay raise bill this November – it is the wrong time to do so. If it does come up as a stand-alone measure (I fear it will be lumped with an increase in the minimum wage, and with a package of tax cuts to aid small businesses, tying the fates of all three ideas into one vote), the only proper response will be to vote NO.
photo: alloveralbany.com
Contact Assemblyman Latimer at 914.777-3832.
observer says:
Excellent commentary. The sad fact is most people can't imagine the impact of a large development like this - especially as there is no comparable structure in Mamaroneck or Larchmont. It is convenient to accept the developers glossy brochure and think these condos fit into our community. I have heard it said that the only people impacted will be nearby residents. This monstrosity will impact every resident of Larchmont and Mamaroneck - especially those with school-age children. Perhaps the closing of the Weaver Street bridge will heighten awareness of the terrible traffic conditions already existing in this town and get more people to question the wisdom of shoving 120+ condo units on top of our schools and into the middle of a densely populated residential area. Or maybe the opening of the Wahlgreens at the front door to the Hommocks will create a enough of a nightmare at dropoff and pickup that this community will remember that if you want to raise children in a safe and nice place, you need to protect the community before it is too late!observer says:
This large reduction in assessment reflects the most recent reassessment data. Their assessment was reduced by over 30% (not factoring in the "millions of dollars spent on improvements.) Quite frankly, if this project is going to take years and years to come to fruition, the residents of this community deserve better than this. This property's assessment should reflect current market value - and be taxed at that rate.Kim Larsen says:
As chair of the Larchmont/Mamaroneck Safe Routes to School committee, I am concerned about the prospect of a large condominium complex being built on the site of Hampshire Country Club. Were condos to be built, the already significant traffic volumes in and around Central School, Hommocks Middle School, and Mamaroneck High School would increase substantially, jeopardizing the safety of our students. The Boston Post Road from Weaver Street to Rockland Avenue is already a treacherous stretch of road for pedestrians. Yet with three district schools and many apartment buildings nearby, hundreds of students and residents walk this area daily. Not surprisingly, several accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles have occurred in this corridor over the past few years. The potential increase in traffic should a 120+ unit condominium complex be built on Cove Road would make the Post Road even more dangerous for pedestrians. Traffic volumes exiting onto the Post Road at Hommocks Road and at Old Post Road/Richbell Road would increase significantly, precisely where the number of students walking to and from school is heaviest. Additional traffic exiting Orienta Avenue at the Post Road is also worrisome as students walk to Harbor Island for after school sports activities.jjinla says:
If they are anything like the rest of us, their assessments just skyrocketed during the reassessment!observer says:
12.9 million in 2010 and put in 'millions of dollars of improvements" according to owner Dan Pfeffer in a public meeting. The market has rebounded nicely, however, the owners grieved their taxes and are currently assessed at a value of around $9 million. Can anyone explain that?loopeditrix says:
Some history: The Club was sold in 2010 for $12.9 million to New World. The Village of Mamaroneck and Town of Mamaroneck jointly bid on the property and had plans to open the club to the public, but were unsuccessful.Patty says:
As a resident of Pine Brook with older kids, and a husband who owns a business in the Palmer district, I can assure you the ire you are reading isn't over a missed season of T-ball. It is because 1.) the contractor was green lighted, without effectively notifying residents, to park huge machines near children before the majority of the red tape was cut and 2.) it is becoming clear that after having taken residence in the park for a year while no work was being done, the contractor might need to get replaced, with nothing to show for it. Back to square one. I am all for improving the business district, I think it is very, very important for Larchmont and a coup that the mayor and trustees secured such a large grant for the work. However, they need to do a better job communicating to both residents and business owners what this project will entail and what the end result will be so that we can support it. For now, everyone is focused on what is in front of them: big, ugly, dangerous machines in the neighborhood's only park, and no work being done.