As a freshman state senator, he joined other legislators requesting a pay raise for New York's lawmakers, who had not received a raise since 1999. At the time, they ranked third-highest in pay among state lawmakers in the United States. During his speech on the floor supporting a pay raise for legislators, he said "show me the money."
As a newly elected member of the New York State Senate, he joined other lawmakers in asking for an increase in their salaries, which had not been raised since 1999. At that time, they ranked third-highest among state legislators in the United States. During his speech on the floor supporting the pay raise, he famously said "show me the money."