New York Lawmakers, Including Zohran Mamdani, Received $32,000 Salary Increase to $142,000

Albany, NY – New York State Assemblymembers, including Zohran K. Mamdani, voted to approve a $32,000 annual pay raise in December 2022, increasing their base salary from $110,000 to $142,000, effective January 1, 2023. This increase positions New York state legislators as the highest-paid in the nation. The move drew immediate criticism, with some observers, such as Twitter user Al, labeling Mamdani as "Captain Socialist" for voting himself a raise.

The legislative decision was made during a special session, just before the new year, and was framed by proponents as necessary to keep pace with the high cost of living in New York and to attract qualified individuals to public service. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins acknowledged the unpopularity of the raise, stating, "I don’t expect anyone to like it." The pay hike was accompanied by a new cap on outside income for lawmakers, set at $35,000 annually, though its implementation was delayed until 2025.

Assemblymember Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist representing the 36th District in Queens, voted in favor of the salary increase. His vote has been highlighted by critics as incongruous with his public image as a champion of the working class and advocate for affordability. State Senator Andrew Lanza, who opposed the raise, commented that the move could lead to a legislature composed only of "billionaires and bums."

Mamdani, who recently became the presumptive Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City, has built his political platform around ambitious proposals such as free city buses, public childcare, and city-owned grocery stores, funded by increased taxes on the wealthy. Despite the "socialist" label often applied by critics, including former President Donald Trump, experts note his proposals aim to address affordability without advocating for a complete government takeover of industries. His campaign has emphasized addressing the city's affordability crisis.

The 2022 salary increase was the second for New York lawmakers in four years, following a bump from $79,500 to $110,000. The vote passed with an 85-52 margin in the Assembly, with most Democrats in favor and Republicans largely opposed. Critics argued the timing was insensitive given rising inflation and the financial struggles faced by many New Yorkers.