Posted on: Wednesday, July 21, 2004

EDITORIAL
'Pay for experience' plan won't cut it

A new pay proposal out of the Big Island Salary Commission is innovative and one might even say intriguing.

But it probably won't pass the political smell test.

In essence, as reported by Big Island Bureau Chief Kevin Dayton, the proposal would grant an automatic 2.5 percent pay raise for any council member each time he or she wins re-election.

The theory is that council members gain experience with each term and should be rewarded.

If a newcomer beats an incumbent, he or she would have to start at the base pay.

We're sure this idea was developed with the best of intentions by the Salary Commission, but it leaves the inevitable impression that the "system" is designed to feather the nests of its own.

We have long argued that anyone running for office should settle for the pay scale in place at the time of the campaign and should stay at that level throughout the term of office.

When pay goes up, as it should on a regular basis, the new salary should apply only after the next election cycle, and it should apply equally to all.