New York Republicans must comply with outside income cap

Republicans in New York's state Legislature face challenges due to a law limiting outside income. This law, passed in December 2022, caps earnings at $35,000 a year. Many Republican lawmakers, who often earn more from outside jobs, are now threatened by this rule. Lawmakers waited over a year to challenge the law in court. They only took action in February 2024, which led to a recent ruling by Justice Alison Napolitano that upheld the income cap. Critics argue that the Republicans missed their chance to contest the law sooner. In 2022, legislators received a significant pay raise, boosting their salaries from $110,000 to $142,000. During this period, they were still allowed to earn unlimited amounts from outside jobs. Now, about half of the Republican senators and assembly members have external revenue streams, unlike their Democratic counterparts. Following the court ruling, Republican leaders warned of possible resignations from their party. However, many believe that lawmakers should prioritize their legislative duties over outside incomes. The public expects them to serve the interests of New Yorkers rather than focusing solely on personal financial gain. Most Republicans are likely to stay in their roles if they commit to public service.