In a move likely to infuriate Republicans as well as Democrats, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rob Astorino will pledge Monday to end the Legislature’s sessions in April, halt the lawmakers’ scandal-ridden “per diem’’ payment system, and make new lawmakers join a less-costly state pension system, The Post has learned.
Astorino will call for the Legislature, which wraps up this year’s lackluster session this week, to end its deliberations on April 1 with the passage of the state budget rather than to continue the expensive and corruption-riddled system of paying lawmakers to remain in Albany — with little to do — for another two months.
At the same time, Astorino will propose ending the “per diem’’ reimbursement system under which lawmakers receive $172 each day tax-free for being in Albany, no matter what their expenses.
The system, adopted in the 1970s as a supposed “reform,’’ has led to myriad cases of lawmakers, who haven’t had a pay raise since 1999, intentionally seeking to supplement their incomes by spending time in Albany even when they have no meaningful official work — and they’ve sometimes done it illegally.
Astorino’s plan calls for the replacement of automatic per-diem reimbursements with a simple reimbursement system based on the submission — under penalty of perjury — of expense receipts for travel, lodging and food.
Astorino will also propose that new lawmakers be required to join a “defined contribution plan,’’ as opposed to the current “defined benefit plan,’’ for future pension benefits, a move that will reduce the state’s long-term pension costs.
While Astorino would face a difficult challenge to convince the Legislature to approve his proposals, governors have enormous political leverage over lawmakers and can rally the public on behalf of reform.
Astorino, the Westchester County executive, will outline these and other proposals in a sweeping 10-point government reform plan “to clean up Albany’’ at press conferences in Albany and Manhattan.
What a difference a few months can make in politics.
Last week, in an official statement as Gov. Cuomo’s newly picked state Democratic chairman, former Gov. David Paterson blasted Astorino as representing “the far right [which] is taking over and terrorizing the Republican Party,’’ pledging, “We will stop the ultra-conservatives here and now.’’
But in a March radio interview, Paterson, long known for his candid if at times politically incorrect remarks, called Astorino “a very intelligent man,’’ noting, “He’s very good. He knows all the issues. He’s very reasonable.’’
Meanwhile, insiders say Paterson’s struggling private consulting business has taken off because of his new role as party chairman.
“People who want to get to the governor often want the party chair on their side,’’ said a longtime Albany lobbyist.
The National Rifle Association is getting ready to strip former US Rep. Kathy Hochul, of Buffalo, Cuomo’s recently selected running mate, of the endorsement she received when running for Congress four years ago.
The NRA, infuriated over Cuomo’s Safe Act, which is billed as the toughest gun-control legislation in the nation, is preparing to give the Cuomo/Hochul ticket a negative rating while backing Astorino.