A measure has cleared the state Senate that could relieve St. Lawrence County taxpayers of the financial burden created by district attorneys’ raises.

Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, co-sponsored the bill that would require the state to cover the full cost of mandated salary raises for district attorneys.

Salary increases for DAs are the result of a recent action by the New York State Commission of Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation that increased judicial pay. While the state has funded prior salary increases via the state budget, the governor’s budget proposal and the final state budget did not include funds to help cover the raises.

As a result, counties are now required to cover this additional cost, which totals roughly $30,000 per-county, and $1.57 million statewide, Ritchie said.

The measure was sent to the Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.

“Our counties are already struggling to balance budgets, and hitting them with another unexpected, unfunded mandate, which the state used to cover, just isn’t fair,” said Ritchie. “This is a critically important measure, which would relieve counties and their taxpayers of a significant financial burden. I’m pleased to see my colleagues recognize the importance of these two goals, and hope the Assembly will follow suit and pass this measure.”

She represents the 48th Senate District, which covers northern and western St. Lawrence County, including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur.