Political Change Escapes New York State

The New York State Legislature is noted for the long tenure of its members. The election of 2010, while providing change at the national level and in many other states, failed to produce any difference in New York.

There are 62 members of the New York State Senate. For the last three years, through a variety of special elections and party defections, the control has passed from Republicans to Democrats to Republicans to Democrats and now back to the Republicans. The Senate is so divided that three or four seats are the decisive factor in matters of control.

The 2010 election could have changed that. However, neither the Republicans or Democrats were willing to participate. 9 of the 62 State Senators up for election were unopposed. 16 more won their seats against token oppositions, winning 70% or more of the votes cast. 40% of the seats were safe from contest.

The New York State Assembly shows an even more distinct pattern. There are 150 Assembly seats. 37 members had no opponent from the other major party. 44 more Assemblymen won with margins greater than 70%. Over half the members of the New York State Assembly faced little or no opposition from the other political party.

Membership in the New York legislature is a part-time job. The costs to the taxpayer for these part-time employees can be looked up through this site. Travel expenses include a per-diem that legislators receive while in Albany in addition to their pay and stipends.

State Senator Jim Alesi (R-NY55) was just reelected to his eighth term in Albany with 53% of the vote. His pay is $79,500 and he receives a committee stipend of $8,000. He also receives travel expenses that have averaged $15,000 a year for the last decade.

George D. Maziarz has been a State Senator (R-NY62) since 1995. His pay includes a base of $79,500 and a committee stipend of $12,500. His travel expenses have averaged over $19,000 a year for the last decade. He, too, was reelected in 2010 with 68% of the vote.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-NY64) receives the base pay of $79,500 and committee stipends totaling $41,500 yearly. His travel expenses for the last decade have averaged over $25,000 yearly. He has been Speaker since 1994 and was first elected to the Assembly in 1976. Silver was unopposed for reelection.

Joe Morrelle is a Democrat representing the 132nd Assembly district. His base pay is $79,500 and he receives $12,500 in committee stipends. His travel expenses have averaged over $18,000 yearly for the last decade. He has been a member of the Assembly since 1990. He was reelected with 61% of the vote.

New York has continued its pattern of reelecting part-time legislators that earn $90,000 plus yearly. A handful of seats changed hands while many incumbents had little or no electoral challenge at all. The tsunami of change that swept the nation appears to have given New York just a light mist.