ALBANY – The first of several state legislators looking to jump to higher-paying posts in the New York City Council is expected to announce his candidacy on Monday.
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx) was just re-elected in November, but sources said he plans to run for the Council seat being vacated by James Vacca in 2017.
Vacca is term-limited and can’t run again.
A Gjonaj aide confirmed that he’ll be making an announcement Monday in Westchester Square, but wouldn’t provide details.
The Post reported last month that Gjonaj was among several Albany lawmakers ready to follow the money and jump from Albany to the local legislature.
State lawmakers earn a base salary of $79,500.
A planned pay raise has been stalled in a battle with Gov. Cuomo, who is demanding it be paired with ethics reforms and term limits.
City Council members earn $148,500, but are subject to term limits and restrictions on outside income.
Gjonaj’s potential opponent , John Doyle, criticized the state legislator for planning to vacate an office he just won.
“Only a month ago he stood before the voters of his district and asked for a two- year term,” Doyle said. “ I understand Albany legislators were denied a pay increase. But he shouldn’t shortchange those same voters in the process, costing them their representation in Albany for possibly a whole year.”
Doyle, former director of Community Affairs for Bronx state Sen. Jeff Klein, said he won’t take the 32 percent pay raise the Council approved in February.
“It’s not about the money,” he says in a new campaign ad.