Before Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would cut the salaries of senior staff members, he dolled out five-figure bonuses from his campaign account.
From the New York Times:
In December, Mr. Cuomo, then the governor-elect, gave a total of about $401,500 in bonuses to senior aides on his campaign for governor, including six people who have since joined his administration in high-level roles. His campaign manager, Joseph Percoco, who was recently appointed the governor's executive deputy secretary, received the highest bonus, $90,000.
The bonuses add up to more than the 5 percent pay cuts that Cuomo ordered for some of his senior staff members earlier this month.
The money came from Cuomo's campaign account, so tax payers will not pay for them. Cuomo also reimbursed the state for his $46,953.83 inaugural celebration in early January. The governor has $4.2 million left in his campaign war chest after an easy victory over Republican Carl Paladino.
The bonuses could still put Cuomo in an awkward position as he continues to make the case to the state Legislature that deep cuts are necessary to solve New York's budget crisis. The governor has repeatedly lobbied for a property tax cap, and has balked at the idea of raising taxes to put the state on solid fiscal ground.
Cuomo announced that he would cut his salary and the salary of senior staff members to show solidarity with struggling tax payers.