Mayor and Speaker Menin refuse raises while 32 council members back 16% salary boost
Political Calculus Forces Both Mamdani and Menin to Decline Salary Increases
The New York City Council’s proposal to raise council member salaries by 16 percent from 148,500 dollars to 172,500 dollars annually encountered immediate political complications when incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani and incoming Council Speaker Julie Menin publicly declined to accept raises. The proposal, introduced by Councilmember Nantasha Williams with 32 co-sponsors, would also increase the mayor’s salary from 258,750 dollars to approximately 300,500 dollars and provide comparable raises to the comptroller, public advocate and borough presidents.
First Salary Increase Since 2016 Faces Political Opposition
The legislation represents the first proposed salary bump for elected officials since 2016. New York City elected officials have not received salary increases in a decade, with inflation significantly eroding purchasing power. The bill would expand the council’s salary budget from 7.5 million dollars to 8.8 million dollars annually. Notably, New York City elected officials rank among the highest-paid in major American cities, behind only Los Angeles and Chicago according to published data.
Timing Creates Strategic Problem for New Administration
Both Mamdani and Menin’s declines reflected messaging concerns and political viability. Mamdani campaigned extensively on affordability and economic justice, making personal salary acceptance politically damaging. Menin, who must have decided say over whether the bill receives a council vote, kept her name off the legislation. Sources indicated she would prefer the matter be studied by an advisory commission before implementation, invoking a four-year cyclical review process that both de Blasio and Eric Adams skipped. Existing law requires the mayor to convene an advisory commission every four years to study appropriate compensation levels.
Historical Precedent and Process Concerns
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio skipped the commission process in 2020 due to the pandemic. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams ignored the requirement entirely in 2024. Citizens Union, a government watchdog, argued the Council should restore the commission process rather than circumvent it through direct legislation. Mamdani voted for state legislator pay increases in 2022, suggesting past willingness to support elected official compensation increases despite his current position. The council salary proposal remains stalled as Menin signals continued authority over whether a vote occurs.
