Democratic state Senate candidate Adam Haber said he opposes pay increases for state legislators because the Legislature has failed to adequately address ethics reforms.
In a letter sent to Sheila Birnbaum, chair of the New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation, Haber said that before seeking a raise, state legislators should focus on fixing corruption within the state Senate and Assembly.
“It is hard to fathom how Albany politicians could feel worthy of a pay raise after refusing to take meaningful action following the corruption charges against Dean Skelos, Sheldon Silver and more of their colleagues,” he said in the letter. “I have worked in business for over 30 years and I can’t imagine an individual receiving a pay raise for failing at their job.”
State legislators currently earn $79,500 per year on a part-time basis, but some earn an additional $9,000 to $41,500 for leadership positions.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature formed the seven-member compensation commission last year with the intention of recommending pay increases for both state officials and legislators.
The commission’s recommendations are expected by Nov. 15.
If approved, the pay raises would take effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
The compensation commission said it had “no comment” in an email.
Haber, who will face off against Elaine Phillips, a Republican, for the state Senate 7th District seat in November, said legislators need to address ethics reforms before accepting an increase in pay.
“Giving this Legislature a raise while they’re allowed to use their campaign accounts as personal ATMs, double-dip into their pensions, dodge contribution limits through the LLC loophole and earn unlimited outside income for other work is abhorrent,” he said. “The system is obviously broken and nothing substantial is being done about it.”
Last year, Skelos, the former Senate majority leader, and his son, Adam Skelos, as well as Silver, the former Assembly speaker, were convicted on federal corruption charges.
Haber, a commodities trader-turned-restaurateur and Roslyn school board trustee, said the pay raise would be an unfair burden on taxpayers.
“Politicians should not be treated any differently than their constituents, the very individuals you are asking to foot the bill for their raise, who already fund their part-time $79,500 salary,” he said.
Phillips, who is the mayor of the Village of Flower Hill, said that she was not in favor of a pay raise for state legislators.
“I do not support increasing the pay for legislators,” she said. “As the unpaid mayor of my village, I’ve shown my strong belief that serving the community by election to public office is an honor and a privilege.”
Phillips also said that if elected, she would fight to end political corruption.
“As senator, I will work to bring integrity back to the capitol and insist on the highest standards of ethical behavior by every elected official, support legislation to take away the pensions of corrupt politicians and fight to enact term limits to bring fresh ideas and energy to state government,” she said.
On Monday, the Long Island Environmental Voters Forum announced that it was endorsing Haber in the 7th state Senate District race.
The nonprofit group also endorsed Haber in 2014, when he was running for the same seat against current state Sen. Jack Martins.
“We’re endorsing Adam Haber because he’s the candidate who Long Islanders can count on to support both a healthy environment and a healthy economy, together,” said David L. Reisfield, executive director of the group. “For too long, our communities have lacked true leadership in the state Senate when it comes to protecting our drinking water, and it’s time for change.”
Haber said that he was “proud” to again receive the group’s endorsement.
“I’m proud to have the support of the Long Island Environmental Voters Forum and their help to highlight what is at stake in this election when it comes to protecting Long Island’s precious resources, especially our drinking water,” he said. “We need leaders in Albany who will fight to protect our environment and public health on Long Island, which I’m committed to doing.”
Despite Haber’s endorsement, Phillips said she has a record of protecting the environment and creating a cleaner community.
“I am proud of my record in protecting and promoting a cleaner, better and safer environment,” she said. “As a village mayor, I successfully created a post-Sandy tree-planting program that won national recognition for helping to protect Long Island’s drinking water, strengthen our defense against erosion and runoff pollution, clean the air, save energy and beautify the community.”
“My work to create a village pedestrian path and make improvements to the village park shows my commitment to promoting better health and protecting the environment,” Phillips added.
