No to salary hikes for state pols

To the editor:

I am going to comment about a short article that appeared in the Nov. 10 issue of the New York Daily News titled “$79G/Yr. State Pols Want Hike.” 

Every two years right after the elections, the overpaid chazzers who live the good life as New York State legislators start salivating at the thought of a special session at which they hope to pass a law giving them a raise. Fortunately, over the years, because of various political circumstances, the taxpaying public has been spared that rip-off. 

These Assembly members and state senators make $79,500 yearly for a part time job. Most of them also receive “lulus” amounting to many thousands of dollars for kissing the behinds of their legislative leaders by voting the way the speaker of the assembly or the majority leader of the Senate want them to. Add to that the falsified claims for per diems and mileage allowances they receive and you will note that these politicians do pretty well financially. 

Also, let’s not forget their basically unregulated campaign funds which these legislators use for such personal purposes as dining out in fancy restaurants, taking trips, leasing automobiles, buying smart phones and computers, etc. — expenses which should rightfully come out of their own pockets. And yet, with all these goodies, they have the audacity to want a raise. What nerve!

These politicians are nothing more than self-serving opportunists who take advantage of a helpless public by waiting to make their money grab after an election. If they were truly honorable people and had even an ounce of integrity, they would try to make a convincing case to the voters prior to an election. But don’t hold your breath. 

If Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, or any other state legislator, disagrees with what I’ve said, I’m certain their constituents would be interested in reading their responses. 

Very truly yours, 

ALVIN GORDON