An attempt to reverse pay raises for some Onondaga County elected officials is still alive, but barely. Republican Legislator Kevin Holmquist railed against the 15 and 30 percent raises for legislators and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney when they were voted on last month. Now, he's trying to get those raises rescinded.
Holmquist couldn’t get the votes to consider it at the Legislature’s organizational meeting this week and had to settle for potentially taking it through the committee process.
"I’m hopeful that we can get this on a committee agenda next month," Holmquist said. "I’m hopeful, I’ve gotta have faith that one legislator that chairs one of those committee is going to agree to put this on.”
Holmquist contends the issue was brought forward without the proper process and didn’t allow for voters to weigh in on the pay raise that was voted on after Election Day. Supporters say the issue has been under discussion for a year and the increase makes up for almost a decade without pay raises for these elected officials. In the future, pay raises will be tied to a consumer price index and will be considered as part of the budget process.
