Now that Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi has asked the legislature again to raise his $109,394 salary to $174,614 and hike the pay of the four other county-wide elected officials in accord with the recommendations of a blue-ribbon panel, it's time to get back to County Comptroller Howard Weitzman (left).
If you recall, the county administration said Weitzman had asked for a raise earlier this year when Suozzi was preparing his 2008 budget. Weitzman denied it.
When Newsday asked in September if the comptroller wanted a raise, he said through a spokesman, “"I support the administration's decision to ask the legislature to authorize increased salaries for elected officials."
After Suozzi this week again proposed hiking Weitzman’s $108,670 salary to $166,300, Newsday asked again if he wanted a raise. Weitzman’s statement: “I agree with the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon panel that the county-wide elected officials should have salaries that are fair and consistent with those serving in similar jurisdictions.”
Is that a yes?
Meanwhile, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice,
Celeste Hadrick
...who earns the most of the five at $150,000, was also asked if she wanted her salary raised to the proposed $166,300.
A spokesman responded, “While the DA certainly didn’t request it, she supports the legislative and public review and believes it should ultimately live or die based on that public scrutiny. She will support whatever becomes the byproduct of that public process.”
Comments (2)
RE: Long Island Politicians and their Requests for MORE Pay
If Suozzi or Weitzman are not happy with their current pay they should Resign from Office and obtain employment in the private sector!
(Yeah, right that might happen)
If everyone on Long Island (For that matter the whole State of NY) - Has to live with the taxes that these politicians have put on to the people, then they too should feel our pain! Politicans should Leave Office if they are not happy with the pay.
After all, they have taken this job as a "Public Servant" not for your own personal benefit.
Where else - Oher then tax to death Long Island, oes one receive a $40-$50,000 pay increase?
Jim Kelly - NY Conservative Campaigns
Totally agree with you there Jim!
A pay increase of a total of what the average person is making for one year to struggle with on Long Island?! I want to say unbelievable but sadly we all know it isn't.
Long Island will be a slum before these politicans are done.