Resolution to halt raises goes to full Senate

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

A resolution to reject the proposed salary increases for the governor and state department heads cleared a hurdle yesterday and is on its way to the full Senate.

The Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and the Ways and Means committees advanced Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, which would turn down the salary increases recommended by the Executive Salary Commission. The committee members voted along party lines, with Republicans opposing the measure.

The resolution, which also requires the approval of the state House, calls for the commission to reconvene in November and submit new salary recommendations to the Legislature next year.

The commission recommended giving raises to department heads and their deputies starting this year — the first such raises in 14 years — and to the governor, lieutenant governor and the chief of staff beginning in 2006. Additionally, they would get 2 percent raises for each of the next seven years.

Sen. Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said senators had concerns about the extent of the increases and the pay tiers for department heads, who all make $85,302 annually. He said the raises would cost roughly $500,000 the first year.

The governor's salary would increase to $112,000 in 2006, an 18 percent increase. Increases for department heads range from 6 percent to 23 percent.

Republican Lingle and others have criticized the resolution, saying that lawmakers have included in the budget money to pay for public-worker raises covered by collective bargaining contracts.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.