Fran Becker thinks $39,500 for lawmakers is ridiculous.

Fran Becker thinks $39,500 for lawmakers is ridiculous. Credit: Newsday / James Escher

Retiring Nassau Legis. Fran Becker (R-Lynbook) made a public plea last week for legislators to raise their salaries, fixed at $39,500 since the legislature began in Jan. 1996.

"I know everybody  works extremely hard," Becker said. "We should pass legislation raising our salaries. I am petitioning, almost pleading, that our Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) and our Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) get together and let us do the right thing; $39,500 is an absolute joke."

He received no response. If approved, any pay hike would take effect after the next general election.

Online inflation calculators show that $39,500 in 1996 is the same as $60,078 today.
 

A winemaker. A jockey. An astronaut. We’re celebrating Women’s History month with a look at these and more female changemakers and trailblazers with ties to long Island. 

Celebrating Women's History Month at Newsday A winemaker. A jockey. An astronaut. We're celebrating Women's History month with a look at these and more female changemakers and trailblazers with ties to long Island. 

Newsday LogoSUBSCRIBEUnlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 5 months
ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME