Despite City's Fiscal Woes, Council Okays Bigger Budget

While most city agencies have been asked to cut 8 percent from their budgets, City Council voted to raise its operating budget by 4.6 percent—a $2.3 million hike that brings the sum to $52.9 million. Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Chelsea) defended the budget increase, arguing it only went up because City Council employees have been given cost of living raises. "I would argue our budget is the same as it was last year," Quinn told the Observer. "We made a decision to treat City Council workers the same as other workers. Therefore, we gave everyone a cost of living increase." That said, the new budget breaks down to $1,036,920 for each of the 51 Council members, compared to $990,896 last year, the Daily News reports.

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By Ben Muessig in News on March 26, 2010 12:23 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

I want to lick her mascara...

Tower18

We made a decision to treat City Council workers the same as other workers. Therefore, we gave everyone a cost of living increase.

Hmm, news to me. I didn't get a cost of living increase. Not since 2006.

Clarice City

City council is such a corrupt shady organization. Every one of them, including their fat leprechaun leader should be thrown out.

Stevennnn

And this is how the richer get richer.

Everyone else is struggling while these clowns give themselves pay raises.

Here I though the city had no money? hah. The city always has money just like the MTA.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Quinn gave herself a 25% raise increase and extended term limits to a 3rd term. Now Quinn is eligible for a lifelong pension courtesy of the taxpayers. Thanks fucking voters

Bubba

""We made a decision to treat City Council workers the same as other workers."

What planet does Quinn live on? Oh yeah, Planet Corrupt Fat Cat.

Let's not forget that the city council is spending $100,000,000 to spruce up their offices. That's the figure before the usual cost overruns are added in.

Our so-called public servants are laughing all the way to the bank. Tar and feather time, I say...

whitecastlerock

If you want to treat the City Council members just like anyone else, you would not have given them raises. If anything, you would have downsized them and outsourced their work to India. Get a fucking clue

How Ya Doin

To quote Charlie Brown, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGHHHH!!!"

ides_of_march

Every level of government in this country is starting the resemble the 18th century French aristocracy. Pampered, disconnected, contemptuous of the average citizen.

The city council should have its damn budget cut in half.

fuboy

Man, I wish I could pull this off. Walk into my accounting office and just tell the comptroller that I've decided to give myself a raise. "Make sure it shows in the next pay cycle. Thanks!"

MT

Why is it only union and public works are squeezing out a cost of living raise this year when everyone in the private sector is either staying flat (if we are lucky) are taking a pay cut? Should the public sector reflect the lives of their constituents?

P.S. I hate to be that guy, but the first word of the posting has a typo? I love Gothamist, but that is a bit of a let down.