Cuomo Spokesperson Explains Purpose of Discussions with Legislators

 

The following statement was submitted by Rich Azzopardi, spokesperson for Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"The Governor and legislative leaders have been discussing issues that could be reviewed in a special session. The legislators are clearly interested in returning to reauthorize a Pay Commission which would need to act by the December 31st deadline if the legislators will receive any pay raise. 

"The Governor is most interested in having the people’s business attended to and believes if there is to be a special session the legislators should do more than merely reauthorize a committee to consider their pay raise. 

"The Governor and the leaders are discussing the following:   

Breaking the Senate and Assembly logjam on the $2 billion housing memo and at least release much-needed funds to combat homelessness.- Provide new funding to operate the Governor’s Hate Crimes Task Force run by the State Police and DHR to battle recent acts of illegal discrimination.- Procurement reforms, including providing Inspectors General for SUNY and CUNY with subpoena power for their foundations.- Sweeping new ethics reforms to change the very structure of state government and puts the major questions before the people for Constitutional Amendments, including:

A constitutional amendment to limit outside income and create a fulltime legislature with a full-time salary that will be put before voters.

A second constitutional amendment to create 4-year legislative terms and put into place 8-year term limits for new members and term limits for statewide officials, which will be put before voters.

Reducing campaign contribution limits.

Limiting donations from those seeking state contracts during and after the RFP process. 

Expanding disclosure requirements for local elected officials. 

Extending the life of the Pay Commission until post Constitutional Amendments determinations. 

Empowering the Office of Court Administration to ensure all legislators’ outside income – as well as the Executive’s Commissioners – are free of conflicts and in compliance with the Public Officer’s Law. 

"Legislators often reference the New York City Council which gets paid double the amount state legislators get paid. That is a valid point. However, what the legislators fail to point out is that the New York City Council banned outside income and has adopted term limits. 

"The Governor has spoken to the Leaders directly and staffs are talking daily. The Pay Commission’s position is clear. The Commission’s executive members stated at the last meeting: 

‘We recognize that going 17 years without an increase legitimately puts a financial strain on the majority of legislators who rely solely on their government salary. As such, subject to further discussions and deliberations, the executive’s appointees could consider a modest increase. However, anything more than that would need to address the public’s concern and opposition by making the position effectively full time and limiting outside income. Accordingly, should the legislature pass reforms that mirror those of the United States Congress, including a cap on outside income, we are prepared to recommend and approve at a reconvened meeting of the Commission, a salary substantially higher than any discussed so far by this Commission, taking in consideration Congressional and New York City Council salaries.’

"The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is appointing a new Chair of the Commission, former Judge Leo Milonas. It is now up to the legislature to decide what they want to do." 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo