Talk about tone-deaf

Unemployment is on the rise in Nassau County, the deficit is up, social services spending is constantly on the block awaiting an ax, taxes are driving everyone crazy ... and the new GOP majority has voted to give its presiding officer, the deputy presiding officer and the minority leader huge raises. Unbelievable.

In an 11-8 vote along party lines, the Republicans approved raises for Peter Schmitt and John Ciotti, the Republican presiding and deputy presiding officers, and for Democrat minority leader Diane Yatauro. Schmitt’s salary has been increased by 47 percent, from $67,500 to $99,500. Ciotti’s goes up 35 percent, from $62,500 to $84,500. And Yatauro, who says she will either not accept a raise or donate it if the law compels her to take it, will see her salary jump to $90,500 from $63,500, a 42 percent increase.

Republican or Democrat, liberal, conservative or independent, no reasonable non-party official would describe this as a wise move. Instead, the new majority has started off the new session with an arrogant whack at the people of Nassau County. Have they no shame? We call on County Executive Ed Mangano to show his respect for county residents and work to correct this absurd error in judgment.