State lawmakers and the governor are about to get their first raise in 20 years.
The state Compensation Commission has approved raising the base pay for members of the legislature from just under $80,000 to $130,000 over three years. Most of the increase will come in the first installment, next month.
In exchange for the raises, lawmakers will lose most bonuses for leadership and committee positions. The governor's pay will rise over three years from $179,000 to $250,000. The raises will make New York's governor and legislators the highest paid in the nation.