House Speaker Calvin Say is calling for fellow legislators to forgo a pending 36 percent pay raise because of the state's budget deficit.

Although Say adds that the pay raise would do little to affect the state's projected $903 million deficit, it would show the public that the Legislature was trying to help.

“;I personally feel it is unwise to consider accepting the pay raise. If I am speaker next year, I would present it to the majority caucus,”; Say said during an interview in his state Capitol office yesterday.

Say said he would consider asking Democrats to consider forgoing the pay raise for two years. “;It will just become a lightning rod for the entire community,”; Say said.

Legislators are set to get a raise that would bring their salaries from $35,900 to $48,708 at the start of 2009.

The increase is part of a recommendation from a state salary commission that has already put in place pay raises for the governor, her Cabinet and state judges.

According to the state Constitution, legislators cannot accept pay raises that are recommended during their term of office, so the 2007 raises goes into effect with the next legislative session.

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said she thought the state Constitution required all changes in pay to treat all salaried state employees equally and wasn't sure lawmakers could change their pay without also changing all state employees' pay.

“;It would require legislation and if everyone feels it is needed, it should be across the board,”; Hanabusa said. “;The most important thing would be to be consistent and treat everyone fairly and equally.”;

Hanabusa, a private attorney, said for her, forgoing the 36 percent raise would not be “;a major hardship,”; but that other lawmakers would find it painful.

Sen. Will Espero said his Senate salary is his only income and he could use the extra money.

“;Although the state Constitution states legislators are part-time, there are some of us who work as full-time legislators. As a single dad currently with one income, the pay raise will be helpful,”; Espero (D, Ewa-Honouliuli-Ewa Beach) said.

Espero said he unsuccessfully twice tried to change the way legislators were paid.

“;A bill which I introduced in 2007 would allow legislators to individually reject pay raises,”; Espero said, noting that it did not clear the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Espero then tried a bill to require “;a public hearing be held following future salary commissions' recommendations,”; but that bill also died.

Senate Republican leader Fred Hemmings said if the public feels legislators are paid too much, salaries should be lowered, but he and Hanabusa agree that the problem of the budget deficit is larger than lawmakers' pay.

“;We work real hard and we deserve a reasonable salary. The question is, what is the total cost of public employees?

“;We have greater problems then legislators' pay. The big problem is the total cost of government and public employees and their productivity and fringe benefits,”; Hemmings said.

Hanabusa said the Legislature should look at the deficit and investigate ways of cutting the budget.