Many of our solons in Albany are, sotto voce, maneuvering to grant themselves a pay increase. The residents of Manhasset will not have a vote on this matter. However, our two representatives in the New York State Legislature - Senator Craig Johnson and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, will. In a letter dated March 12, I posed the very simple question:

"As an interested constituent, I am writing each of you to inform me and your other constituents for your position - for or against - any increase in your official salary from New York State."

Ms. Schimel's response was a somewhat hasty, very pro forma statement that has a "See Spot; see Spot run" feel in its staccato style. As I interpret it, she is fully supportive of voting herself a pay raise. I quote from her March 20 letter:

"Thank you for contacting my district office to express your concern about the financial health of New York State. The state's financial health is a top priority of mine as well. Thank you for sharing your views on this matter. I will take your recommendation into consideration."

At least she thanked me twice.

On the other hand, Senator Johnson very clearly stated his intention to oppose any pay raise. He provided me with a copy of a Jan. 24 press release which stated, in part:

"I do not think it is appropriate or prudent to be considering a legislative pay raise at this time. I will vote against such a bill if it comes to the floor."

Bravo!

Of course, in Albany, every good deed is negated by politics as usual. Senator Johnson's January 2008 press release closed by stating that he would donate to worthy nonprofits any pay increase to offset the pork barrel spending (in Albany, they go by the designation "member items;" in Congress they are "earmarks") that his predecessor had secured, but had been revoked by the Republican majority in the Senate following Mr. Johnson's election. I do not claim prescience, but in my letter to the two legislators, my use of the phrase "official salary" was deliberate. Unlike his unequivocal position on the pay raise, he appears much more ambivalent with respect to unofficial emoluments.

And, so, therefore, a further question to our legislators: Will you renounce "member items?" Be that as it may, I have found Senator Johnson to be responsive and he has had one of his aides actually call me to respond to several of my inquiries. We cannot, I suppose, expect Albany to reform themselves overnight, if they ever will.

Vincent J. Coyle Jr.