KAPLOWITZ STATEMENT ON LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2007
Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz, (914) 924-3404 cell
I applaud the action of the legislature in denying the legislative pay raise as proposed.
I did not support the legislative pay raise proposal because I don’t believe a compelling case was sufficiently made to support a stipend increase. Further, there was not appropriate public notice given nor opportunity for timely public input. Therefore, a pay raise is not justified at this time.
Until a compelling case is made, the Board of Legislators should not raise stipends. Unless and until a compelling case be made, and in recognition of just how tough the times are economically, and as we worked so hard and successfully to keep our 2008 property tax increase as low as possible, so must we do the same with legislative pay.
I look forward to the establishment of a blue-ribbon compensation committee that will recommend fair and equitable pay levels. I know we can move beyond this issue and together with my legislative colleagues can continue to serve the needs of the people of Westchester in the most cost-effective way.
