ALBANY—The State Senate has been buzzing about Josh Robin’s story this week on NY1 about Democratic lawmakers giving staff raises even as the state is in a fiscal crisis.
Democrats – led by Majority Leader Malcolm Smith – say the pay bump is in line with increased responsibility. State Senator Craig Johnson was specifically mentioned in the story, but declined to give an on-camera comment. I caught him quickly going as he went into the chamber.
“My staff works extremely hard and diligently, they’re on call 24/7,” he said. “They’re an outstanding staff and they’re compensated.”
Johnson’s deputy chief of staff received the largest raise – $30,000.
