An advisory panel of former elected officials and business leaders recommended Friday a substantial raise for Nassau County lawmakers.

The panel recommends a nearly 80 percent salary increase for legislators and about a 60 percent spike for the county executive.

County Executive Tom Suozzi, who earns $109,000 a year now, would make $174,000 with the suggested raise. Legislators, who Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said usually work as many hours as full-time employees despite their part-time status, earn $39,500. Their pay would be boosted to $70,300, a 4.9 percent compounded annual increase since 1996.

Nassau legislators haven't received a raise since the Legislature's founding in 1996. Suffolk legislators earn $83,000 and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy takes home $192,000.

If passed, the salary increase would take effect in 2008. Legislators plan to vote on the issue before election day 2007.