An almost certain bill in New York would grant an 18.2% raise to elected officials, meaning the Dominican councilmembers in NYC will earn more than 10 million Dominican pesos per year. This measure, which applies retroactively from January 1, it directly impacts five representatives of the Dominican community on the city’s Municipal Council.
Currently, New York’s 51 councilmembers earn $148,500 annually. If the bill passes, their salary would rise to US$175,500, an amount equivalent to just over 10 million Dominican pesos at the current exchange rate. This increase specifically benefits the Dominican councilmembers in NYC, who generally work eight months a year but maintain influence in their districts.
The Dominican councilmembers in NYC are: Christopher Marte (D-1), Shaun Abreu (D-7), Carmen de la Rosa (D-10), Pierina Sánchez (D-14) and Oswald Feliz (D-15). Each represents a different district and now could access significantly larger resources for their legislative work.
Rationale for the Salary Increase
Mayor Zohran Mamdani will be one of the officials whose salary also rises, from $258,750 to $305,800. The bill, which adopts the recommendations of the Quadrennial Advisory Commission, was justified during the public hearing of the Government Operations Committee as a necessary leveling due to the rising cost of living.
“Elected officials have not received a raise since 2016, because the mandatory commissions of 2020 and 2024 were not convened,” said Councilmember Gale Brewer, who chaired the committee.
Carl Weisbrod, chair of the advisory commission, explained that the 18.2% was calculated based on inflation accumulated since January 2022. The regulation would take effect 45 days after its official approval, although groups such as Reinvent Albany have expressed opposition to the automatic adjustment mechanism.
Impact on the Dominican Community
This raise represents a significant milestone for the Dominican community in New York, as the Dominican councilmembers in NYC will now have greater financial capacity to drive projects in their districts. Additionally, the city annually grants them one million dollars from the Mayor’s Participatory Budget, discretionary funds to finance local initiatives.
In conclusion, the Dominican councilmembers in NYC position themselves as better‑paid officials with a new salary that exceeds 10 million Dominican pesos, solidifying their role in New York’s urban politics and benefiting the broad community they represent.
