NYC Council leader says 71- percent raise for lawmakers would be ridiculous

The New York City Council's leader Thursday labeled as "ridiculous" the idea reportedly floated by some members that they should get a 71 percent raise, but she declined to name what she would consider a reasonable figure.

Elected city officials, including the 51 council members, haven't had a pay bump in nine years. The council's base salary is $112,500, and a three-person panel appointed in September by the mayor under the city charter is weighing changes in pay for all elected officials.

Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, an East Harlem Democrat, conceded that members did "legitimately want this conversation" about raises.

Mark-Viverito said she didn't know which six or so council members may have lobbied for a 71 percent raise -- boosting their salaries to $192,500 -- in exchange for forgoing outside employment and committee chair bonuses that range from $8,000 to $25,000. The proposal was reported by the Daily News.

"It definitely is a ridiculous amount," Mark-Viverito told reporters.

The independent Quadrennial Advisory Commission will release recommendations in mid-December after public hearings Nov. 23-24. Mayor Bill De Blasio must approve any raises before the council votes on them.

"I want to hear what the commission has to say and we will deliberate," Mark-Viverito said.

De Blasio's office has said he would decline a hike in his $225,000 annual salary this term.

He is running for re-election in 2017.

Frederick A.O. Schwarz, chair of the commission, said Thursday that no council representatives have communicated with his panel about raises.

The commission considers the salaries of comparable positions around the country, as well as nonprofit and private-sector compensation, the consumer price index, the local cost of living and more, he said.

The city's five elected district attorneys in late October asked the commission via a letter to raise their pay to $250,000 from $190,000.

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, which represents rank-and-file police officers and choose arbitration to settle its contract, expressed fury that its members may get a 1 percentretroactive raise for each of two years while the council gets much more.