Slom flips over
committee’s flip-flop
on minimum-
wage measure

The bill was defeated last week
but the panel chairman
revived it

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By Lisa Asato
Star-Bulletin

A SENATE COMMITTEE did an about-face yesterday on a minimum-wage increase bill it defeated last week.

Against the "strongest protest" by Sen. Sam Slom, Senate Labor Chairman Bob Nakata brought the measure back for reconsideration after it was rejected Friday by a 3-2 vote.

With a larger contingent on hand yesterday, the bill was approved 5-2.

Last week, the measure was rejected after Nakata (D, Kaneohe-Kahuku-Heeia) recommended deleting the tip credit, prompting Sen. Les Ihara (D, Kapahulu-Kaimuki-Waikiki) to join two other senators in voting against the measure.

Yesterday, the chairman changed his recommendation and won passage of the bill.

His earlier proposal would have removed Hawaii's 20-cent tip credit, which business interests see as a plus because it lets them pay employees 20 cents less than the minimum wage of $5.25 as long as their tips make up the difference by 50 cents or more.

Slom (R, Hawaii Kai) argued that the bill had already been heard and voted on. It would set a bad precedent to bring it back for reconsideration just because the chairman was not happy with the outcome, he said.

"We're fooling the public. It's a travesty," he said.

"As for the tip credit, everybody came before this committee ... and asked for larger tip credits, and you denied it," Slom told Nakata. "Who's to say you won't try to remove the tip credit again?" he asked.

NAKATA SAID he could assure Slom that he would "not attempt again this session to remove (the tip credit)."

House Bill 166 H.D. 1 would raise the minimum wage to $5.75 on Jan. 1, 2002, and to $6.25 on Jan. 1, 2003. It would leave Hawaii's 20-cent tip credit untouched.

Voting for the bill were Sens. Nakata, Ihara, Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae-Maili-Makaha), Brian Kanno (D, Ewa Beach-Makakilo) and Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu-Pearl City).

Voting against the bill were Sens. Norman Sakamoto (D, Moanalua-Salt Lake) and Slom. Asked for his vote, Slom replied, "No, a disgusting 'no' vote."

After the measure was approved, Slom continued his comments, saying: "Shame on this committee. Shame on this Legislature."

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