State Assemblyman Andy Goodell’s criticism of legislative Democrats’ approval of empty seat voting mere months after accepting a hefty salary increase and state Sen. George Borrello’s criticism of both Thruway toll hikes and redesigned service areas have something in common.

Both Assembly Democrats and the state Thruway Authority board have no problem charging more and providing less service.

The Post-Journal reported last week on Goodell’s disagreement with Assembly Democrats’ approval of rules that allow Assembly members to sign in for the day and then have their votes counted as “yes” votes whether or not they actually cast a vote on bills that were receiving final approval, which had required what is known as a slow roll call vote that required members to be in the chamber to vote yes or no. The only members who actually have to show up to vote are those who plan to vote against legislation — typically Republicans. It’s a reversal of policy set in 2005, when good government groups finally pressured the Assembly and Senate to end empty seat voting. Republicans criticized the return of empty seat voting, noting the Assembly attendance was sparse on the day members were planning to return home.

Borrello, meanwhile, joined lawmakers who criticized the first of the redesigned service areas on the Thruway after complaints they were smaller and more congested than the old service areas, with fewer options for food and far fewer restroom facilities. He was particularly critical of the lackluster service area redesigns coming in the wake of cashless tolls that he said should have saved the Thruway Authority money in salaries and the construction projects preceding a planned toll hike.

We agree with both lawmakers’ criticisms. Empty seat voting is bad government, plain and simple, but it stinks to high heaven when you consider the New York state Legislature rammed through a pay increase in an unnecessary special session in December to become the highest-paid legislature in the nation. The Thruway Authority, meanwhile, is begging for more of your hard-earned money in order to pay for service area construction that results in worse service for travelers.

When it comes to legislative salaries and operating the state Thruway, New York’s motto — Excelsior, a Latin word meaning “ever upward” — has never been more applicable. But perhaps a more appropriate Latin phrase for the state’s motto is “caveat emptor” — buyer beware.