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

BILL NUMBER:S1633

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 2011-12 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

It remains important in these tough economic times 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 passed a per diem freeze bill, SB.1372, through their state and local government committee. The bill freezes per diems at the 2010 rate until 2014, saving an estimated $1 million dollars over the course of four years (see,http://politics.nashvillevost.com/ 2010/03/18/per-diem-freeze-masses-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

2011-12: S.1051 - Referred to Investigations & Gov't Ops S.7952 - Referred to Investigations & Government Operations

Fiscal implications

Cost saving implications.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.