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We Are Appalled…

The new Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer, Republican Peter Schmitt, has proposed and passed raises that average 42% for himself, the Democratic Minority Leader Diane Yatauro, and the Republican Deputy Presiding Officer John Ciotti. Schmitt will now make $99,500, Yatauro $90,500, and Ciotti $84,500. (Yatauro has said she will refuse the raise, or donate it to charity if legally obliged to accept it, while Legislator Ciotti has been silent.)

These raises are appalling not only because the Republicans ran on a platform of cutting Nassau County government excess, but because the County has yet to act on reinstating its contribution to LI Bus, which was cut by $1.4 million during budget negotiations last fall.  Over the past year, LI Bus riders have faced the prospect of fare hikes and/or service cuts an unprecedented three times.  As of right now, LI Bus is preparing to eliminate 13 bus lines.

New County Executive Ed Mangano was not exactly supportive of the raise. In a statement, his spokesperson said that “this decision was made by the Legislature, and we have no control over that body. In the executive branch, the county executive has cut salaries from the levels of the prior administration. These are not times for inflated salaries.”

Are we to believe that Presiding Officer Schmitt and Legislator Ciotti are more hard pressed for cash than bus riders who make, on average, $22,000 a year?  Do bus riders not work as hard as part-time legislators who will now be earning nearly $100,000 a year?

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Roll Back the Raises
Roll Back the Raises
14 years ago

The recent pay raises of Nassau County and Town of Hempstead Republican Leaders is a slap in the face to the Tax Payer.

Bob Young
Bob Young
14 years ago

ROLL BACK THE RAISES ! KATE AND PETE SHOULD KNOW BETTER. THEY CAMPAIGNED ON PLATFORMS THAT FOOLED THE PUBLIC. WITH WHEN THE PEOPLE WERE NOT WATCHING THEY GAVE THEMSELVES RAISES.
WELL, THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING NOW.

John
John
14 years ago

Despicable pigs.

Rich J
Rich J
14 years ago

Peter Schmitt and Joseph Mangano do not get along. Schmitt thought he would be the big cheese – dod not expect Mangano to get elected. Mangano is cutting expenses – while Schmitt is just a greedy hog. The Democrats are even worse. What are we to do ? A 3 % raise would have been okay, under the present climate – but 47 % – shear greed.

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