Relates to freezing per diems for legislators with secondary incomes exceeding 20 percent of their legislative salaries

BILL NUMBER:S7952

Title of bill

An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to freezing per diems for legislators with secondary incomes exceeding 20 percent of their legislative salaries

Purpose

To limit per diem increases for legislators with sources of outside income during New York's fiscal crisis.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends subdivision 2 of section 5 of the legislative law, freezing per diems at 2009-2010 federal regulatory rates for legislators whose secondary salaries exceed 20% of their legislative salary, or 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for a family of four, whichever is less.

Justification

In the midst of an economic crisis such as the one New York is currently enduring, it is important to set a standard of fiscal responsibility. This legislation would generate savings for the state by freezing unnecessary per diem increases for those legislators possessing substantial outside income. Such savings would aid in closing the state's budget deficit.

The Tennessee State Senate has already passed a per diem freeze bill, S.3650, through their state and local government committee. The bill freezes per diems until 2014, saving an estimated $1 million dollars over the course of four years (see,http://politics.nashvillepost.com/ 2010/03/18/per-diem-freeze-passes-committee-vote/). If New York State implements a similar law, such savings can be directed towards economic development, education, health care, or aid to New York's most vulnerable populations.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Cost saving implications.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.