Senator Johnson Introduces Legislation To Roll Back Per Diem Increases

by: robert.harding

Wed Oct 14, 2009 at 20:51:09 PM EDT

Senator Craig Johnson has introduced legislation to set the per diem levels back to the last legislature, thus eliminating the increase, as well as freezing the per diems for two years to prevent them from going up again, at least for now.

For Albany travel, these payments --  which are pegged to federal standards and were not raised by legislative action -- rose $11-a day, or 6.8 percent, this month. Per diems cover lodging and related expenses for Assembly and Senate members who travel to Albany and other locations on legislative business.

"We should be setting an example," Senator Johnson said. "While this is a drop in the bucket compared to the current budget deficit that we face, this increase is simply inappropriate during this economic crisis. This legislation will help set the appropriate tone for the challenges that lie ahead."

Senators David J. Valesky, (D-Oneida), William Stachowski, (D-Lake View), and Darrel Aubertine, (D-Cape Vincent), have committed to co-sponsoring this legislation.

"In this difficult economic climate, the Legislature must adopt practices that save taxpayers money, not increase costs," Senator Valesky said. "Though freezing per diem costs will not solve the fiscal crisis, this legislation represents a new way of thinking in Albany, based on principles of prudence and responsibility."

"When it comes to combating New York State's growing deficit, every bit of savings counts," Senator Stachowski said. "We need to lead by example and this legislation embodies the kind of common sense and fiscal discipline that is needed."

"While this alone certainly isn't going to close our budget gap, I hope it sends the message that no cuts are off the table right now in getting this state's finances under control and we are working to put the taxpayers of the State of New York first," Senator Aubertine said. " I look forward to working with Senator Johnson, the Governor, and all of my colleagues in the Legislature to put together a responsible, balanced budget."

If this legislation passes, and this harsh economic climate still exists in two years, Senator Johnson will introduce additional legislation to extend the freeze. Discussions with potential Assembly sponsors are ongoing.

When you look in the large scheme of things, per diems amount to small potatoes. But those "small potatoes" add up. Along with per diems, legislators get mileage reimbursement for travel to and from Albany. They also get benefits which cost taxpayers millions. So all of this adds up and just as they are calling for budget cuts, legislators in Albany should be cutting their own expenditures.

Johnson Criticizes U.S. Senate GOP For Blocking Fair Pay Act

by: robert.harding

Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 12:35:56 PM EDT

The Senate vote yesterday was 56 to 42. This vote was so important that both Democratic presidential candidates - Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama - showed up to cast their votes in favor.

The vote was on a motion to invoke cloture, but it fell four votes shy of succeeding. John McCain did not show up to vote on this legislation.

Here is what Johnson had to say about the vote yesterday.

"The shortsighted and wrongheaded actions of Republicans in the U.S. Senate have made it even more vital to get a real Fair Pay Act passed in New York.

My legislation, (S.3936), would offer protections to employees and add some teeth to the federal Equal Pay Act, which in the more than  40 years since its passage has fallen short ensuring equal pay for equal work.

This bill has passed the New York State Assembly every year since 2002. Instead of committing to true change that would benefit thousands of working class families in New York, these Republicans' counterparts in the New York State Senate championed a cynical piece of legislation to "study" pay inequality, which has already been the subject of countless studies, and increase fines for laws that are nearly unenforceable.

New York residents deserve more than lip service.

I remain committed to fighting to make sure that New York joins the two dozen other states that have the Fair Pay Act on the books."

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 would do the following: "A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, and for other purposes."

Here is video of Johnson arguing for the Fair Pay Act:

The federal version is named after Ledbetter, who sued Goodyear after realizing on the verge of retirement that she was not receiving the same pay raises as the men she worked with. The Supreme Court ruled against Ledbetter, arguing that employers are protected from such lawsuits if the discriminatory offense occurred 180 days or more prior to the lawsuit.