Less than a day after two NYPD officers who had received measly 1% raises were shot in the line of duty, New York City Council Members voted by wide margin last week to give themselves a 32% pay raise.
Of the 40 members voted for the raises, only seven -including the three sole Republicans in the Council- voted against the exuberant raises, which will raise their salaries from a base of $112,500 a year to $148,500.
According to the New York Daily News, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, a supporter of the lavish raises, said the extra money was justified because the Council was, as part of the deal is agreeing to give up outside income and extra salary they received for chairing committees.
In her opening remarks at the Council meeting in which the members voted for the raise.Mark-Viverito praised the two officers who were shot Thursday.
“Today we’re joining all New Yorkers in wishing a quick and full recovery of both officers who exemplify the best of our city,” she said.
However, the raises means the officers -who were ambushed by a robber- will be making roughly $100,000 less than council members. Officer Patrick Espeut, who was shot in the cheek, made $55,189 last year, while Officer Diara Cruz, who was shot in the torso, made $56,870.
When the council raise was proposed last month, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association president Patrick J. Lynch called it “an abomination and an insult to every police officer in this city.”
“It’s mind-boggling that elected officials are giving themselves a 32% raise while police officers, who risk life and limb day in and day out, are expected to feed their families with 1%” Lynch said in an interview last week. “Some give all and get nothing; some give nothing and get all.”
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What about the military and seniors that get no raise in three of the last four years?
Greed on the part of those voting themselves raises.
If I was a Police Officer in New York I would pack my bags,head South and leave them to it. Let them call Hillary Clinton or Beyonce when the Choir boy breaks in, robs their store or rapes their sister
No one should vote themselves a raise. That is a conflict of interest. Police, firemen, teachers and other city workers deserve raises and do not receive one and if the do it’s after a long drawn out battle. These council people give themselves a 32% raise just like that! What makes them think they deserve 32% raise….I think they deserve a 32% cut in their pay! They certainly don’t work as hard or put their lives on the line daily!
And there you have it. Politicians being politicians. Now, the NYPD should just take the 1%, this rear. Next year they get the 32% and the greedy city council gets 1%. Good for the council who makes the policy. Good for the people protecting the city!
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