Committee on Governmental Operations, State &amp; Federal Legislation

Chair Brewer Introduces Elected Official Compensation Bill

Chair Gale Brewer welcomes attendees and introduces the preconsidered bill to increase compensation for the mayor, public advocate, city council members, borough presidents, comptroller, and district attorneys.

0:01:27 1 min 44 sec

Brewer on the Quadrennial Commission and 10-Year Salary Gap

Brewer explains the Quadrennial Advisory Commission framework for reviewing elected official salaries and notes the 10-year gap since the last raise, the longest in 40 years, due to failures by Mayors de Blasio and Adams to convene commissions.

0:03:11 1 min 2 sec

Brewer on Impact of Low Salaries on Staff and Candidate Diversity

Brewer discusses how stagnant elected official salaries cap staff wages, hinder competitive hiring, and limit who can afford to run for office, emphasizing that elected roles are demanding 24/7 jobs.

0:04:13 1 min 42 sec

Brewer Outlines Commission Recommendations

Brewer details the 2026 Quadrennial Advisory Commission's report recommending an 18.2% salary increase, prospective application, 120-day commission timeframe, and automatic 2% annual increases if no commission is convened.

0:05:56 49 sec

Brewer on Bill Codifying Recommendations and Acknowledgments

Brewer states the bill codifies the commission's recommendations, thanks commissioners Carl Weisbroad, Lillian Paoli, and Larry and Angelo, and acknowledges council and committee staff.

0:06:44 1 min 25 sec

Procedure

Brewer Opens Public Testimony and Reviews Rules

Brewer opens the floor for public testimony, outlining rules including a three-minute speaking limit, no photography, and procedures for submitting written testimony.

0:08:09 1 min 23 sec

Carl Weisbroad Testifies on Commission Recommendations

Carl Weisbroad, chair of the Quadrennial Advisory Commission, thanks the committee for embracing the commission's recommendations and emphasizes the importance of prospective salary increases for future councils.

0:09:32 3 min 33 sec

Brewer Questions Weisbroad on the 18.2% Figure

Brewer asks Weisbroad how the commission arrived at the 18.2% figure. Weisbroad explains it reflects the cost of living increase since January 2022, when most officials began their terms, and notes NYC salaries still lag other major cities.

0:13:05 41 sec

Brewer Asks About Retroactive Application to January 2026

Brewer asks why the increase is retroactive to January 2026. Weisbroad explains the commission deferred to the legislation's language and felt the long gap justified retroactivity.

0:13:45 1 min 48 sec

Brewer Questions Weisbroad on 120-Day Commission Timeframe

Brewer asks if more time would have helped. Weisbroad explains the commission met the 75-day deadline thanks to pro bono support from CUNY's Institute for State and Local Governance and a small team.

0:15:33 2 min 1 sec

Brewer Asks About Automatic Inflation Adjustment Backstop

Brewer asks about the automatic salary increase mechanism if no commission is convened. Weisbroad explains the 2% annual adjustment as a modest incentive for mayors to convene commissions, crediting co-commissioners Paoli and others for the formula.

0:17:34 2 min 14 sec

Brewer Questions Weisbroad on Staff Salary Compression

Brewer raises the issue of underpaid council staff. Weisbroad explains the commission examined wage compression but found many staff earn more than elected officials, so it was not a determining factor.

0:19:48 2 min 19 sec

Brewer Asks About Commission vs. Automatic Salary Model

Brewer asks whether a commission-based approach is preferable to automatic salary adjustments. Weisbroad argues commissions allow contextual judgment, especially during crises, and are used by state legislatures and the federal government.

0:22:07 4 min 54 sec

Grace Rauh (Citizens Union) Testifies on Salary Bill

Grace Rauh of Citizens Union testifies in support of the 18.2% increase and commission reforms but opposes the automatic inflation-adjusted backstop, arguing it would eliminate incentives to convene commissions and reduce opportunities for broader government reform.

0:27:00 4 min 41 sec

Rachel Foss (Reinvent Albany) Testifies on Salary Bill

Rachel Foss of Reinvent Albany supports the salary increases and commission reforms but opposes the automatic adjustment, recommending alternative backstops like multi-official commission appointments and additional ethics and financial disclosure reforms.

0:31:42 22 sec

Brewer Questions Rauh and Foss on Declining Salary Increases

Brewer asks how the mayor and speaker could decline their salary increases. Rauh explains officials can refund or donate the money, citing past examples like Mayor de Blasio.

0:32:04 3 min 11 sec

Brewer Asks Why Mayors Would Avoid Convening Commissions

Brewer presses Rauh and Foss on their strong concern that mayors will avoid convening commissions. Both cite the precedent of de Blasio and Adams failing to convene commissions and argue the automatic adjustment creates a path of least resistance.

0:35:15 38 sec

Council Member Questions Foss on Salary and Corruption Link

An unnamed council member asks about research on salary increases and corruption. Foss responds that banning outside income was a key anti-corruption step and higher salaries reduce incentives for private income that creates conflicts.

0:35:53 31 sec

Brewer Asks Rauh and Foss About Staff Salary Issue

Brewer raises staff salaries again. Foss agrees it's important but outside the commission's purview, noting her own experience as a former legislative staffer.

0:36:24 1 min 7 sec

Brewer Asks About Additional Reforms for Future Commissions

Brewer asks if other topics could be considered during the 120-day commission window. Rauh and Foss discuss tying ethics reforms, financial disclosure, and transparency measures to pay raises as broader public benefits.

0:37:31 57 sec

Brewer Asks About Charter Revision Commission Suggestions

Brewer asks if the groups made suggestions to the Charter Revision Commission. Foss indicates they have not pursued that route for these issues.

0:38:28 3 min 17 sec