When state legislators head to the Capitol after this year's elections, they will get a 36 percent pay raise.

According to the state Salary Commission, lawmakers are eligible for a raise that takes their pay to $48,708 from $35,900. Legislators also get a legislative allowance that goes up by the same percentage - to $10,200 from $7,500.

In total, all legislators will get an additional $15,508 a year or a total annual increase of $1.17 million more.

“;I don't think it is right,”; says Sen. Sam Slom (R, Hawaii Kai-Diamond Head), who says he has never accepted the expense account funds.

“;In these difficult economic times, these increases should be delayed,”; Slom added. “;I had concerns about the entire Salary Commission process. There were no hearings. The Legislature was not responsible for voting on it.”;

Other legislative leaders say the commission followed the changes that were supported by voters when the state Constitution was amended to permit a single commission to set the pay for judges, state executives and the legislature.

“;I am grateful that the taxpayers supported a constitutional amendment that tied the rates of judicial, executive and legislative pay raises,”; said House Speaker Rep. Calvin Say.

The pay raises were needed, according to Say, because the last raise was in 2005 and before that, it had not been raised in 12 years.

“;Today's increase will be beneficial for all legislators who are full-time legislators,”; Say said. “;The raises will let them afford their rents, utilities and everything else that has gone up in price.”;

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said Slom or any other legislator can introduce legislation next year to block the pay raise, but until then it will start in 2009.

“;I believe they (Salary Commission members) have done their assessment as to what is proper payment and we should abide by it,”; Hanabusa said.

Both the Senate president and speaker of the House will get a pay differential, raising their pay to $56,208 from $43,400.

The Salary Commission recommendations took effect last year. The Legislature was not required to give a final approval because the raises went into effect unless the lawmakers actively voted to kill them.

In reaching its decision to increase lawmakers' pay, the Salary Commission noted that legislators have many demands that “;restrict the ability of Legislature to supplement their salary with a profession, business or other employment.”;

In the future, the commission said, if pay isn't raised, it “;may limit the number of qualified individuals willing to serve as state legislators.”;

In this election, even with the coming pay raise, 22 legislative seats were uncontested, with only the incumbent running.

The money for legislative salaries comes from the state budget, so the state Department of Accounting and General Services issues that check. But the expense allowance comes from the Legislature's own budget, so the House and Senate will have to adjust their budget for that extra expense of $205,200.

Say and Hanabusa said they have already started to discuss the budget for the 2009 session and will also go along with Gov. Linda Lingle's request that all state spending be trimmed by at least 4 percent.

Say said the Legislature would “;follow the governor's lead.”;