State Salaries In Albany’s Sights

Doing something about corruption and influence peddling in Albany appears high on the to-do list for lawmakers — except when it comes to their own bank accounts. 

Following a tough proposal by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo that would hold New York’s legislators to a maximum of 15 percent of their official salaries in outside income, Carl Heastie, the speaker of the Assembly, came up with a far more generous plan, which the Assembly approved on Tuesday. In dollar terms, the governor’s cap on moonlighting money would be $11,925; the Assembly would allow up to about $70,000. In the State Senate, the Republican majority prefers the status quo, in which there is no limit on outside income.

Mr. Heastie proposes allowing up to 40 percent of the annual salary of New York State Supreme Court Justices, whose positions are considered full time, as the limit on outside income. Perhaps aware that his formula might be viewed as bizarre, he announced his plan shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday — hardly the peak of the weekly news cycle.

For how these limits would affect state elected officials one need look no further than Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., who is set to receive $52,500 for his side job as the Sag Harbor Village attorney in 2015-16. Under the Assembly version, he could continue in both jobs, receiving a base of $79,500 as a part-time assemblyman with add-ons available. Should Mr. Cuomo’s plan prevail, however, Mr. Thiele would have a tough choice to make. There is nothing essentially corrupt about having two government positions, and Mr. Thiele has to make ends meet, but choosing one job or the other would eliminate concerns about just which hat he is wearing at any given moment.

 It is clear that from a conflict of interest standpoint ending legislators’ official status as part-timers is essential. Giving up outside income in exchange for higher salaries should be open for discussion even if it costs taxpayers more. Mr. Cuomo’s tight-fisted limit should be the starting point.