David Lombardo is reporting for Capitol Confidential the reaction to the vote December 6, by a special state compensation panel to increase the base pay for state legislators by more than 60 percent. This would mark the first increase in lawmakers' annual salaries for the first time in 20 years. The committee's final report will carry the weight of law, and raise salaries from $79,500 to $130,000 by 2021. According to Lombardo, there has been limited comment on the decision. The only Capital Region Assembly member to comment was Republican Chris Tague, who represents the 102nd district, which encompasses Schoharie County, as well as parts of Greene, Columbia, Ulster, Albany, Otsego and Delaware counties. Tague condemned the decision but said nothing about stopping the raises. Tague said, “New Yorkers pay the highest taxes in the country. Albany is one of the most corrupt state capitals. So it makes perfect sense that Albany insiders concocted a massive pay raise for themselves that taxpayers are on the hook for, so they can perpetuate their corrupt state government...The greedy and delusional mindset of Albany politicians will continue the downward spiral of New York state.” Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.