Suffolk Republican election official to hold job, attend law school

Suffolk’s Republican Elections Commissioner Nick LaLota last week started as a part-time student at Hofstra University Law School, but he vowed he would continue to work 70 hours every two weeks as required even though he has to take day classes in his first year.

LaLota, 39, said he will be able to work his $144,000-a-year commissioner job because at many times during the election season, hourly workers, who can earn overtime, often put in as many as 100 hours every two weeks, prepping machines, handling special elections and recounts, and other duties.

While as commissioner he does not earn overtime, LaLota said, “There is plenty of opportunity for a manager to supervise hourly workers beyond the normal 9 to 5 day.”

LaLota, who is in a four-year program, added he also will use vacation and personal time, if necessary, to fulfill his work requirements.

Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Demcoratic chairman, said, “I’ll leave it to Kevin McCaffrey [GOP legislative caucus leader] and the GOP legislators to ask him how he can be in two places at once when they are an hour’s commuting time apart.”

LaLota responded, “A party boss with three full-time jobs might want to pass the next time he’s asked to comment on a public employee who is using the GI Bill to attend part-time classes to better himself and his public service.”