State Lawmakers Could Get Big Pay Raises

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Our media partner KITV has this story. Excerpts:

Hawaii lawmakers could soon get a huge pay increase. The state salary commission recommended legislators get a 21 percent raise this summer.

Island lawmakers can put in long hours and late nights when the legislature is in session. It can be a lot of work for a part-time job, especially considering lawmakers haven’t had a pay raise since 2009.

“People get into this not for the money, but to serve other folks at the genuine level. They don’t do it for the money,” said Rep. Bob McDermott.

Currently, each Senator and Representative, with the exception of the Senate President and House Speaker, makes $46,272. Cuts in 2009 froze pay at that level where it has remains.

On Monday, the state salary commission recommended lawmakers get paid $55,896 starting July 1, which is when those salary reductions end. …

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—Chad Blair

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