'Obviously Their Attitude Is That Happy Days Are Here Again'

While Democrats are in the business of manufacturing outrage, they never seem to take umbrage with their own accepting secret pay hikes.

Despite a pending $14 billion budget deficit, state Senate Democrats hiked the salaries of about three dozen aides since taking over the majority in January.

Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Nassau County) raised his deputy chief of staff's pay to $77,500, a whopping 63% jump up from $47,500.

Deputy Majority Leader Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx) gave raises to five staffers, including one for 36% to his chief of staff, who now makes $75,000, up from $55,000 last year.

New York 1 first reported on the pay hikes Tuesday night.

If these were Republicans there would be howls about greed, feigned indignation and protests in the streets. But since these are Democrats, not a peep.

Scores of Republicans have been told they will lose their jobs come April 1.

Republicans also note it was the Democrats who for years argued there should be equal resources for staffing among the majority and minority parties.

"Obviously their attitude is that happy days are here again," Senate Republican spokesman John McArdle said.