Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell turned down raises for himself and cabinet members that were
"I believe the salary commission has done a fair and comprehensive analysis in issuing their recommendations," Caldwell said in a statement. "As Mayor, I need to take into consideration factors such as our economic recovery and pay raises in relation to the entire city workforce."
"I will not accept the recommended increase in the Mayor's salary," Caldwell said. "This means that I will not be taking the 5% 'snap back' restoration or any pay increase above that. If pay increases go into effect as voted on today by the Salary Commission, I will essentially be agreeing to a 9% cut in pay."
Caldwell said that his cabinet members work extremely hard, but he only wanted raises for his two appointees, if two conditions were met.
The conditions were that the 5% pay cut given to city employees in 2009 that remains in effect be rescinded and that all city contracts currently being negotiated be resolved with fairly negotiated pay raises for city employees.
