NYC Council Should Fix Compensation Commission, Not Use Lame-Duck Hearing to Rush a Vote in 2026

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony on the compensation of New York City elected officials, and on Intro 1493. We are generally supportive of salary increases for elected and appointed government officials because they ensure that the important job of serving in government is appealing to a broad spectrum of qualified candidates. However, as the City Council considers this issue and legislation, we ask the City Council to do two things:

1. Create a better compensation commission process, with representation from all NYC elected officials – and use it. It is clear that the current process is not working as intended. The Quadrennial Commission established under Section 3-601 of the Administrative Code requires the Mayor to appoint all three members and provide funding for its operation in the city budget. The Council should create a new, independent commission via a City Charter amendment that includes representation from all three citywide officials and the Council. This would ensure that if the Mayor chooses not to appoint any members, it could still function. The appointments could be made as follows:
   • 2 appointments from the Mayor
   • 1 from the Public Advocate
   • 1 from the Comptroller
   • 1 from the Speaker of the City Council

2. Do not use today’s hearing to allow legislation to move forward in 2026 without a hearing as a “pre-considered resolution.” Having today’s hearing suffice for this important Charter requirement deprives incoming City Council members who have not yet taken office from hearing the perspectives of the public and asking questions about the merits of any increases or proposals to reform the compensation commission structure. Section 27 of Chapter 2 of the City Charter wisely ensures that local laws increasing or decreasing salaries of the City Council or Public Advocate cannot be passed by “lame duck” City Councils. It is logical to extend this prohibition to today’s sitting Council not being the one that “pre-considers” any salary changes made next year. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Click here to view the testimony as a PDF.