Will there be a special legislative session before the end of the year? That was the big question considered by State Assembly Democrats who gathered in Albany on Monday for a retreat. State House Reporter Zack Fink filed the following report.
Although Assembly Democrats are back in Albany, they stayed out of their empty chamber because —at least for now —there are no plans for a special voting session before the end of the year.
But Democrats want a pay raise and haven't had one since 1999. Governor Cuomo says they can have that raise, if they also vote on a number of other issues this month.
"I'm not sure if there is going to be a special session," says Assemblyman Carl Heastie. "Like I said when I put out my statement the pay raise to me is a separate issue. But it would be irresponsible of the governor, myself and senator Flanagan to discuss issues that we may need to deal with before the end of the year."
Last month, a pay commission created by the legislature held its final meeting and didn't approve a raise. They currently make $79,500 for their work as part-time legislators.
The raise was denied after Governor Andrew Cuomo's three appointees to the commission refused to vote for an increase.
But after saying repeatedly that he wouldn't horse trade any legislation for a raise, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie emerged from a two hour conference with his members and tried to explain why voting on other issues this month and a raise is not "trading."
"You can bring things up in a conversation," says Heastie. "If everybody agrees it should happen then it's not a trade. But if you are saying 'I don't want to do this and you're saying you want to do it. And then you are getting forced into doing it, then that becomes a trade."
Some of the other issues the Governor would like to see addressed in a special session include a renewal of a tax break for developers known as 421-a, and term limits for lawmakers in exchange for creating a full time legislature.
"I don't think term limits are going to be on the table," says Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle. "I don't think we are going to rush into any restructuring of the state government. Or the responsibilities of legislators in an end of year session. I don't think it's an appropriate time."
Lawmakers cannot legally vote themselves a pay raise during the regular session, which begins in January. That helps explain why there is a desire to hold one now and tackle all these issues before the end of the year.