New York City lawmakers are advancing a controversial plan to boost their own salaries by a staggering 18.2%, while quietly building in automatic raises for years to come, the New York Post reports. The proposal would lock in annual increases of at least 2%, even without future votes or public debate, leaving taxpayers voiceless.
Under the bill, introduced by Council Member Nantasha Williams (D-27), council salaries would jump from $148,500 to $175,500, retroactive to January. The raises wouldn’t stop there: the mayor, City Council speaker, comptroller, borough presidents, and district attorneys would all see sizable pay hikes as well.
According to The Post, the push comes just days after officials approved a record $126 billion city budget, and follows an earlier attempt to quietly pass a 16% raise at the end of last session. This new measure goes further, embedding automatic increases directly into law. If enacted, the legislation would trigger raises even if lawmakers fail to act. After four years without a vote, salaries would automatically rise by either 2% annually or 8.25% total, whichever is lower.
The plan draws from a 127-page report by a three-member “Quadrennial Commission” appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The panel argued that without regular adjustments, elected officials’ pay would continue to erode, noting there have been no raises since 2016.
Top officials are in line for major bumps. The mayor’s salary would climb from $258,750 to $305,800, while Council Speaker Julie Menin’s would increase from $164,500 to $194,000. Both have publicly stated they do not intend to accept the raises, though neither has clarified how they would handle the funds if the increases become mandatory.
Mamdani has not taken a clear position on the proposal, saying the matter should be left to the City Council. His office did not respond to The Post’s questions about whether he would decline the higher pay.
Menin’s office noted that compensation decisions should be “based on an independent commission.” A spokesperson noted she supports discussing the commission’s recommendations with colleagues, even as she declines a personal increase. However, the current bill does not include a formal opt-out provision, meaning officials would need to amend the law or personally donate the extra income to avoid benefiting.
Government watchdog groups offered mixed reactions during a recent hearing. Citizen’s Union and Reinvent Albany both backed the idea of raising salaries but warned against automatic increases that bypass periodic review.
Beyond council members, the proposal would raise the comptroller’s salary from $209,050 to $247,100. Borough presidents would see pay rise from $179,200 to $211,800, while district attorneys would jump from $212,800 to $251,500.
Notably, The Post reports that none of the mandated increases would apply to staffers working for elected officials.
