The legislative allowance which allocated to all legislators has been increased for the State Senate from $5,000 to $7,500 this year. This is taxpayer funds allocated to each office holder to do as they please. Many senators use the funds for travel, office furnishing, newsletter publishing and for office snacks. The allowance is in addition to the regular salary each legislator gets.

Since being elected to office in 1996, I have never touched this fund. In our office, I prefer to buy items like soft drinks for my office staff, paper plates, napkins, utensils and food for opening day, with my own, personal funds. They say there is no free lunch, and this is very true in the office of Senator Slom. Most everything we use outside the normal office supply items such as paper and pens are paid for with non-taxpayer funds.

Taken from the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board Report #3, 1-19-2006