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Council committee hears debate on 16% pay increase for elected officials; watchdogs urge independent review
Summary
At a New York City Council Governmental Operations hearing on Intro 14‑93, which would raise elected‑official pay by 16%, good‑government groups urged preserving an independent quadrennial compensation commission or amending the law to ensure independent review; community board leaders pressed for parallel baseline funding. The committee chair said a vote is expected Thursday.
At a New York City Council hearing, the Governmental Operations Committee heard competing views on Intro 14‑93, legislation that would increase pay for the mayor, controller, public advocate, council members, borough presidents and district attorneys by 16%.
Committee Chair Lincoln Dressler opened the hearing by outlining the bill’s scope and rationale, saying the proposed salary for a council member under the bill would be "$172,500" and that the quadrennial compensation commission the city charter requires has not been convened in more than a decade. "It is critical that we convince the best and the brightest rather than just the wealthiest New Yorkers to make the decision to run for public office," Dressler said.
The most extensive testimony came from good‑government groups. Grace Rao, executive director of Citizens Union, said Citizens Union supports fair pay for elected office but opposed advancing the 16% increase without the work of an independent compensation commission. "It is, however, possible to raise salaries through an honest,…
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