Riverhead, N.Y. - Legislator Al Krupski has sponsored legislation that would freeze the automatic pay raises Suffolk County Legislators have automatically received since 1986. Currently, the automatic increase is 4% or the amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Legislators can decline the automatic raise and several have, including Legislator Krupski who has opted out for three of the last four years.
“Considering the financial situation Suffolk County is facing, it is important the Legislature lead by example in this case,” said Legislator Krupski. “If we consider asking the workers of the county to forgo pay increases, we should be willing to do the same. If we are asking our constituents to accept cuts to services, we need to make sacrifices as well.”
The proposed legislation is co-sponsored by Legislator William J. Lindsay III who represents the 8th Legislative District and who has sponsored similar legislation in the past. If enacted, the freeze would be in effect for four years and would also include pay freezes for the County Executive, District Attorney, County Sheriff, County Clerk, County Comptroller, Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer.
“The current financial climate within the county is one that everyone must make sacrifices,” said Leg Lindsay. “We must lead by example. Freezing our automatic pay increases will not solve the county’s financial problems but it is a place to start and show how serious we are about solving these problems. I believe this is something we should have done three years ago when I first proposed it and appreciate Legislator Krupski’s efforts in reintroducing my bill.”
The legislation will be considered by the Government Operations, Personnel, Information Technology and Housing Committee meeting at 10 am on Wednesday, August 30 at the Legislative Auditorium in the William H. Rogers Building located at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown. If approved by the committee, the proposed local law will be considered by the full Suffolk County Legislature during the General Meeting on Wednesday, September 6, which will be held in the Maxine Postal Auditorium, 300 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal may do so in writing or during the public portion of either the committee meeting or the General Meeting which begins at 9:30 am.
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