A proposal to raise pay for New York City’s elected officials is moving forward at the City Council just weeks before Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office.
The bill, introduced on Tuesday by Councilwoman Nantasha Williams of Queens, seeks to increase salaries for the mayor, City Council members, borough presidents, and other citywide officials by more than 16%.
The timing of the proposal drew attention because the original plan had been to hold a vote before Mamdani’s January 1 inauguration.
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That schedule shifted when council members realized that the city charter prohibits votes on pay increases during the post-election lame-duck period.
The procedural barrier forced the Council to abandon its December timeline and instead set the bill up for hearings that would allow consideration in early 2026.
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The sudden push raised questions among officials who said the timing appeared designed either to avoid involving the incoming mayor or to spare him from a politically complicated decision.
Kalman Yeger, a Democratic state Assemblyman and former City Council member, said, “The only thing is I think they are worried that the mayor-elect won’t do it.”
He added, “They are afraid if they pass it in January and he’d have to veto. How does the mayor-elect justify it, saying the working man can’t afford milk? He can’t sign off to give them a $20,000 raise.”
The bill has 32 co-sponsors, including Mamdani allies Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler, and Chi A. Ossé, all Brooklyn Democrats.
According to one source familiar with the discussions, the legislation places Mayor-elect Mamdani in a difficult position after a campaign centered on affordability.
The source said Mamdani could either veto the pay bill or sign a measure “making New York more affordable for the political class.”
If approved, the bill would raise City Council salaries from $148,500 to $172,500 — the first increase in nearly ten years.
The overall salary allocation for council positions would rise from $7.5 million to $8.8 million.
The raises would extend beyond the Council. Under the proposal, the mayor’s salary would increase from $258,750 to $300,500.
The public advocate’s salary would rise from $184,000, while borough presidents, currently earning $180,000, would also see increases.
The city comptroller’s salary, currently $210,000, would be included in the 16% adjustment.
Council members have said privately that their pay no longer reflects increases seen by many other city employees since 2016.
Those discussions became public when Williams introduced the measure, which was first reported by the New York Daily News.
Because the city charter blocks action on pay legislation between Election Day and New Year’s Day, Williams revised course and scheduled a hearing to keep the bill active.
“If we have a hearing on the bill this year, we don’t need a hearing on it next year. It’s pre-considered,” Williams told The Post on Tuesday.
When asked if the Council planned to pass the measure in January, she replied, “That’s the goal.”
Outgoing Speaker Adrienne Adams, who leaves office at the end of the year, said previous administrations should have addressed compensation before the issue fell to incoming officials.
She cited former Mayor Bill de Blasio and departing Mayor Eric Adams when asked about the stalled action on salaries.
Pressed on whether the Council should approve the bill, she declined to offer guidance, saying, “I’m out of here. I’m out. That’s something for the new members.”
The bill will remain pending as members prepare for the start of the new term and for Mayor-elect Mamdani’s decision on whether to approve or reject the proposed salary increases.
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