While lawmakers’ pay raises kicked in automatically in January, the pay panel said it would take an official act of the Legislature before Cuomo could get a raise. The vehicle: a resolution, which means the pay resolution automatically takes effect without the governor having to sign it, as he might with a piece of legislation.

The cost of the raises is not a lot of money as a percentage of a $175.5 billion budget. But they were approved even as Cuomo has spent weeks talking about how this would have to be an austere budget year, that the state was facing a multi-billion budget hole and that tough spending choices would have to be made.

It also came as many groups were disappointed over funding levels for their particular causes. Schools are pleased with their funding increases, but quickly said they fall short of needs. Groups concerned about New York getting an accurate count in next year’s federal Census say much more money is needed on outreach and education efforts.