New York, NY (March 10, 2026) – Citizens Union today released the following statement from Executive Director Grace Rauh in response to the City Council’s vote on legislation establishing a compensation commission to review the salaries of New York City elected officials (Intro 502-B-2026):

“Citizens Union commends the City Council for moving to address elected officials’ compensation through the proper, long-standing process: an independent commission. For more than fifty years, every increase in the salaries of New York City’s elected officials has followed a commission-based review, and returning to that model is essential to maintaining public trust. We thank Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Nantasha Williams for heeding calls from good government advocates to abandon plans for an immediate pay raise and instead advance legislation to convene a compensation commission.

“At the same time, the version of the bill approved by the Council does not fully resolve the underlying problem that led to this moment. The legislation does not address the loophole that allowed prior mayors to sidestep their legal responsibility to appoint a compensation commission every four years. Without additional reform – like giving another citywide official backstop appointment authority – there is no guarantee future mayors will obey the current law.

“The bill also weakens prior reforms by cutting the commission’s review period from 120 days to 75 days, reducing the time available for analysis, public feedback, and deliberation. In addition, shifting the commission cycle from the third year of a term to the first year undermines the principle that compensation decisions should be prospective and considered well in advance, rather than early in an elected official’s term.

“We believe strongly that competitive compensation for elected officials attracts strong candidates to seek public office, promotes integrity, and enables people from all backgrounds to serve. But how we arrive at a fair salary matters. We urge the Council to close the mayoral loophole, preserve transparency reforms, and ensure future salary decisions are made through an independent, deliberative, and credible process.”

More on this topic:

• Testimony in Support of Council Legislation Establishing a One-time Compensation Commission
• Watchdog Groups Oppose Rushed Council Pay Hike: Electeds Should Receive Fair Raise Through Outside Review Process 
• Testimony to the City Council: Legislation to Increase Compensation Levels for New York City Elected Officials 
• Explainer: How to Increase Elected Officials’ Salaries in New York City