Posted 4/10/2024, 5:21:00 PM
Frustrated with Congress, Rep. Brian Higgins resigns after 19 years to lead Buffalo arts center with large salary boost
- Rep. Brian Higgins resigned from Congress after 19 years to become president of a local performing arts center
- He left in November, midway through his term, frustrated with the "slow and frustrating" pace in Congress
- His new salary as head of Shea's Performing Arts Center is $305,000, a $131,000 pay bump from his $174,000 congressional salary
- Higgins said he sees the new job as a way to boost the economy in his hometown of Buffalo and bring in tourism
- The much higher salary highlights incentives for lawmakers to leave Congress amid stagnant pay and gridlock