The independent Empire Center just released a report that revealed overtime pay for state employees grew to almost $1 billion over 2020. Salaries also increased by 6 percent during the same time period.

The 2021 state government payroll includes the names, titles, base pay rates and total pay of more than 289,000 employees who worked in the state’s executive, legislative or judicial branches in 2021. You can view state government payrolls dating back to 2008 on the SeeThroughNY.net web site.

State employee salaries rose 6.1 percent in 2021. The average full-time employee salary was $68,292, up from $64,124 in 2020.

State agencies paid $953 million in overtime pay during 2021. This is more than $100 million, or a 12 percent increase from 2020. Among overtime earners, 228 employees were paid $100,000 or more in overtime alone. Ninety-eight of the top 100 highest-paid employees were State University of New York or City University of New York officials.

These same educational institutions are always crying poverty and claiming they need billions more in assistance to survive. Gov. Hochul is paid $225,000 per year. Did you know that there are 1,443 state employees of whom 1,412 work in the executive branch and earn more than the governor?

Add to this the value of pensions, health insurance for employees and retirees, and other benefits that are not included. You will not read about this in any newsletter from your local state Senate or Assembly member prepared and paid for at taxpayers expense. Most residents can only dream about obtaining these perks, salaries and benefits from their employers.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

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