Corinne Ching

Party: Republican

Age: 48

Job: State Legislator, State House of Representatives.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Liliha

Contact: (808) 545-3080, cwlc@msn.com

Web site: www.corinneching.com

Job history past 10 years:
Teacher, Ma'ema'e Elementary School; Instructor, KUMON; Legislative Aide to two House Leaders, Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa and Rep. David Pendleton.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Three term State Representative for the 27th District.

Other civic experience or community service:
Chapter President, American Assn. of University Women; Vice Regent, Daughters of Hawaii; Trustee Historic Hawaii Found.; Boardmember, Lanakila Multi-Purpose Sr. Center; Member, Neighborhood Board.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Wife; mother of a 4-year old; Founder, Hawaii Heritage Caucus; Creator, I LOVE LILIHA Town Festival, producer of Pele-Award Winning Calendar, " Our Liliha"

1) Why are you running for office?
I care deeply about this special district which I have the honor of representing and I feel that there are still pressing issues which I can make a signicant difference in towards achieving the vision of a safer, healthier, more prosperous community.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Investments that would help stimulate the economy, Health and Human Services, Education.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Increase tax incentives for renewable energy to include solar, photovoltaic, wind as well as wave, promote conservation and energy efficiency measures to include dedicated funding for installation of renewable energy generation on State buildings starting with schools, increase renewable energy portfolio mandate to match goal of 70% renewable by 2030 if not sooner.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
Steps to ensure funding gets to the classroom level (streamline bureaucracy).

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
In the long run lower costs: Enact medical liability insurance reform, reduce the costs by enacting workers' compensation measures that would reduce premium costs, keep unemployment insurance rates low, to positively affect the bottom line for hospitals both public and private. In the short term pass emergency appropriation for public hospitals and fight for federal payments.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Economy - pass legislation to stimulate economy and help with high costs of fuel.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
Cut taxes to help stimulate the economy and eliminate tax on food and medicine to benefit those in need.