Kim Calls On Opponent To Oppose Pay Hike

Nicholas D'Angelo, from Kim Izzarelli's campaign, has submitted the following:

Fiscal conservative candidate Kim Izzarelli is calling on her opponent in the 95th district, career politician Sandy Galef, to vow to oppose a pay increase measure proposed by the Democrat-controlled State Assembly. Izzarelli, a candidate with extensive employee compensation and audit experience, noted that while the Legislature has not had a pay increase in fourteen years, their $79,500 annual salary is well above the per capita income in Westchester County, and more than double that of Putnam County.

“During difficult economic times for our community it’s unfortunate that our elected representatives are focused on their own well-being, instead of that of their constituents,” Izzarelli said.

Members of the State Assembly currently enjoy a $79,500 per year salary for 66 days of work. Despite having the least productive legislative session since 1914, members are proposing legislation to give themselves a 25 percent pay raise, which would make them the highest paid legislators in the nation.

Kim has endorsed the proposed legislation of Assemblyman Steve Katz to reduce the number of days the Legislature is in session from sixty to thirty, with a reduction in legislators’ salaries to $35,000. This legislation would save New York taxpayers more than $150 million per year. Long term, the comprehensive plan would save New York State approximately $2.5 billion over ten years.