When state lawmakers this week wrap up the budget for the coming year, we know just what they should do next: Go home.
New Yorkers would sure be a lot safer.
True, this year’s legislative session isn’t slated to end until June. But the longer the pols hang around, the more damage they can do. As is often said, “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”
What kind of damage?
* They can kill jobs. The pols are eyeing a 17 percent bump in the state’s minimum wage, to $8.50 an hour. The idea seems to be: Throw as many folks as possible out of work, by forcing firms that hire them to pay them more. Terrific.
* They can snub parents (and their kids): They might ban the public from seeing how teachers are rated. This could shield ineffective teachers from consequences. Their union (whose interests the pols put first) would love it.
* They can hike their own pay: At your expense. No doubt, lawmakers think finishing a budget before the new fiscal year, as they seem to be doing, warrants a raise.
Baloney. An on-time budget is a lawmaker’s primary duty. Regular folks don’t get raises just for doing their jobs; the pols shouldn’t either.
We know these “part-timers” can’t wait to skip town. Well, with the budget and other key bills done, there’s no reason not to.
Do everyone a favor, guys — go.