Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br />Page 11 <br />1 <br />have to come up with it, and that's what's been going <br />2 <br />on for 50 years. <br />3 <br />Basically, the unionization was allowed in <br />4 <br />the 1960s -- and so, 50 years later, we're dealing with <br />5 <br />decisions that were made 50 years ago. This Salary <br />6 <br />Commission was created in 1974, so that's 45 years ago. <br />7 <br />And, certainly the people at that time had no idea that, <br />8 <br />50 years later, we'd have a budget that was busting <br />9 <br />at the seams. And we're trying to figure out what new <br />10 <br />tax we can raise. So, that's where I'm coming from. <br />11 <br />I just don't see how -- there's no way that <br />12 <br />those things in place, like the collective bargaining, <br />13 <br />is going to be changed. So, what we have is this <br />14 <br />fantastic symbiotic relationship between the ruling <br />15 <br />class of politicians in Hawai ʻ i and those that endorse <br />16 <br />them. So, we have a perpetual motion of -- machine of <br />17 <br />constant pay raises, where the people on the outside <br />18 <br />are struggling to make a living. People in my district <br />19 <br />who are not government employees are reaching some kind <br />20 <br />of end. <br />21 <br />And so, my question to both of you is -- yeah, <br />22 <br />I understand -- Mayor, thank you for your service and <br />23 <br />your honesty -- where does that 70 percent or the -- <br />24 <br />where does it finally come to an end? Can we tolerate <br />25 <br />80 percent salaries, wages, benefits, and state <br /> <br />ISLAND COURT REPORTING & TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES <br />(808) 933-9800 <br /> <br />