In a surprising reversal, Republican majority leaders in the Nassau County Legislature are calling for their recently passed raises to be undone following a week of criticism, but said the move was a result of public reaction, not due to attacks from the Democratic minority.

Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa)

Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said that he arrived at the decision to propose a bill that would undo the 47-percent raise passed by the legislature 11-8 along party lines on Monday “after much personal reflection and many conversations with residents” and recent economic news.

Democrats immediately declared the move as a victory.

“I’ve based my decision on three factors,” Schmitt said in a statement. “First, as reported today our County Executive faces a predicted shortfall of $89 million in sales tax receipts to Nassau County for 2009.  Second, I am influenced by the announcement that LIPA has rescinded its plan to give 2 percent raises to its employees this year. Lastly, the U.S. Department of Labor has reported that the average increase in compensation for U.S. workers reported in 2009 was the lowest in decades.”

Schmitt maintained his complaint that he and his colleagues are “woefully under compensated” and have “have sacrificed pay increases for the past 15 years,” but conceded that “now is not the time.” 
Lawmakers had increased Schmitt’s stipend from $28,000 to $60,000, bringing his total salary to $99,500—up from $67,500. In addition, Deputy Presiding Officer John Ciotti (R-North Valley Stream) had received a $22,000 stipend increase, boosting his total salary from $62,500 to $84,500 due to the approval.

Minority Leader Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) was also given a stipend bump, of $27,000, increasing her total salary to $90,500, up from $63,500. Base pay for all Nassau legislators is $39,500.

“I have heard the voices of the public and I am aware of the impact of the current economy on all Nassau residents,” Schmitt said. Yatauro, who had denounced the raises and said she would give hers to charity, took credit for Schmitt’s reversal.

“Most of these reasons were well known facts last Monday, yet he still pushed through the raises,” she said in a statement. “If Peter changed his mind on giving himself a huge raise it is because he has heard from his constituents that this move was totally unacceptable. The very fact that he did this will linger in the public memory for a long time.

“It sounds like Rip Van Winkle just woke up,” she said. “It’s as if he just found out that Nassau’s residents are faced with unemployment, foreclosures and low sales tax numbers.”

Newly elected County Executive Edward Mangano, a Republican, had called for the county attorney to look into the legality of the raises. In hearing of the reversal, he said in a statement through his spokesman: “Mr. Schmitt’s statement speaks for himself.”