Senate Minority Organization Announced

Press release issued on November 10, 2008 from the Minority Leader's Office

The Senate Republicans have organized. In a statement today Senator Fred Hemmings said, "It didn't take long and it wasn't difficult to count votes, but I am pleased to announce that Senator Sam Slom and I will be working constructively together to represent in the Hawaii State Senate the Republican principles we hold dear." Senator Hemmings will continue to serve as Minority Leader, Senator Sam Slom as Floor Leader. Senator Slom added, "The Legislature has many daunting tasks in front of us, the budget and perennial problems with economic opportunity, education and energy to mention a few make our role as the Minority party even more significant. Senator Hemmings and I are united on the issues and will continue to offer the people of Hawaii an alternative to business as usual."

Hawaii Voters State Their Preference

Island voters cast their ballots to help elect Senator Barack Obama to the presidency, making him the first Hawaii born person to achieve ascendancy to the nation's highest office. Obama's coat-tails were long as many candidates in the majority party won re-election with several new ones getting into office for the first time.

The State Senate will now have 23 Democrats and 2 Republicans, I am one of the two. In the electoral process, incumbent Republican Senator Gordon Trimble lost his seat. Earlier this year Republican Senator Paul Whalen announced his retirement. Those seats are now in the majority party. Over at the House of Representatives, the 2 party system has been weakened as Democrats now control all but 6 seats in the 51-seat body.

Finally, the vote on rail transit was barely won, and the Constitutional Convention proposal was defeated. More election results at http://www.hawaii.gov/elections.

A Bad Time for a Salary Increase

Hawaii State Legislators will get a 36% pay raise as well as an increase to their annual expense account (separate from their salary) effective January 1, 2009. Current pay levels for most legislators are at the $35,900 level. The pay increase will boost their salary up to $48,708 per year.

Legislators also get an annual allowance which was increased from $5,000 to $7,500 couple years ago. Next year the new amount for the allowance will be $10,200. Legislators can use this allowance for things such as travel, food, office furniture, computers, etc.

The legislative pay and office allowance increases is set by the State Salary Commission which was not voted upon by the legislature. That commission followed changes implemented by the voters through a constitutional amendment made in 2004. I opposed that amendment.

Needless to say in this dire time when the state is looking at a $900+ million budget shortfall, a salary and allowance increase for the legislature is unwarranted. I will support legislation that will curb this and future increases next session. Since my election to office in 1996, I have never used the annual allowance and oppose the increase to it as well as the salary increase, especially when taken in light of the dire budget situation impacting schools, social services and other sectors of the state and economy.

HEADLINE LINKS FROM HAWAIIREPORTER.COM

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