Republican lawmakers in New York have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a forthcoming $35,000 cap on income legislators can earn outside their official roles.
The cap is set to come into effect in 2025. The plaintiffs argue the limit “unconstitutionally deprives” those members of the Legislature not in compliance of their salaries and “imposes restrictions on their businesses and outside income.”
The case has reignited debates on lawmakers’ outside income, a contentious topic among government watchdogs and good-governance advocates.
The lawsuit contends that if lawmakers are prevented from voting due to noncompliance with the income cap, it effectively disenfranchises their constituents. State Democrats criticized the challenge, warning against a return to a potentially corrupt system, while good-government advocates argue the outside income cap does not go far enough to prevent potential conflicts of interest.
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