Mink takes heat for
vote to raise her salary

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Associated Press

State Rep. Bob McDermott is criticizing U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink for voting this week to increase the pay of members of the U.S. House from $150,000 to $155,000 a year.

The Honolulu Republican, who is challenging Mink in this year's election, said he would never vote to increase his pay.

"It is crazy for Mrs. Mink to be voting for this pay raise when we have a war to fight and the economy is in the tank, both locally and nationally," McDermott said at a news conference yesterday. "How can any self-respecting person vote themselves such a luxurious pay raise?"

Mink doesn't need the money, McDermott said, referring to recent disclosure statements showing her as the wealthiest member of the congressional delegation. "Clearly, she has lost touch with the local folk," he said.

Mink could not be reached for comment.

McDermott (Aliamanu, Hickam) filed his nomination papers on Tuesday, acknowledging he is the underdog in the race but saying Hawaii's people are ready for a change.

Mink is "representative of the 1960s liberal whose time has passed," he said. "Her partisanship and her extremism make her increasingly ineffective in the Republican-controlled House."

McDermott, 38, said Hawaii has the youngest average population in the nation, but the oldest congressional delegation. He said Hawaii must "stop sending the same tired faces to Washington."