Twenty-Five Percent, Retroactive . . . Ballsy!

Where in the world does a legislative body vote to increase its own pay? New York City:

Contending they work hard 24/7 and deserve more money, City Council members gave themselves a $22,500 pay raise yesterday — bringing their base salary to $112,500 a year.

“I have never seen a legislative body which works harder than the New York City Council,” said Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) as the bill passed 41 to 5.

The raises, recommended by a mayoral commission, have Mayor Bloomberg’s approval. The bill also provides fat raises for the mayor, controller, public advocate, borough presidents and district attorneys.

The raises will be retroactive to Nov. 1. The annual cumulative cost will be $1.5 million.

Good-government groups had urged tying the raises to reforms, such as eliminating committee stipends, known as lulus, that add $4,000 to $28,500 to Council members’ base pay.

The posts are also technically part-time, with 13 of the 51 members now earning outside income.

. . .

With the raise, New York’s 51 Council members will be the second-highest paid in the country – surpassed only by the $150,695 salary of Los Angeles’ 15 council members.