State lawmakers in New York returned to the capitol building in Albany this week to wrap up some important business before the new year. 

The State Assembly and State Senate voted to approve a bill setting their base salaries at $142,000 a year - representing a $32,000 pay increase and making the New York State Legislature the highest compensated in the United States. 

The Senate approved the salary increase by a vote of 33 in favor and 23 opposed. The Assembly approved the increase by a vote 81 in favor and 52 opposed. If signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, the legislation will take effect on January 1.

Supporters of the bill argued that legislators have not had a raise in several years. They say their work often extends beyond Albany’s legislative calendar year, addressing constituent needs in their home districts. Supporters also argue the bill places a limit on their ability to earn additional income outside their role as legislators. 

Critics of the bill derided the $32,000 pay raise as unconscionable during a time when New Yorkers are struggling with high costs of living, an opioid crisis and issues involving public safety and the criminal justice systems.

It does strike us as somewhat tone deaf that while ordinary New Yorkers are struggling with high inflation and high tax rates that lawmakers would call a lame duck special session to gift themselves such a large raise. 

Perhaps they should have been bold enough to vote on this last month - before Election Day. 

We understand that people who work hard deserve a raise. Good salaries attract talented people and might act as a safeguard against Albany’s reputation for, as the New York Times puts it, money-driven malfeasance. But there would have been better ways to address increasing salaries that didn’t leave such a bad taste in people’s mouths. 

A higher salary also comes with an expectation of higher performance. We’ll be waiting to see if that’s delivered.