Volcanic Ash
State Legislature is in the dark
By David Shapiro
We've seen a remarkable display of national political unity after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Republicans and Democrats in the White House and Congress have set aside differences to work together on battling terrorism and boosting our economy.
It's distressing that the same sense of unity and purpose hasn't visited Hawai'i politics. It's not even about local Democrats and Republicans going their separate ways. The ruling Democrats can't close ranks among themselves, leaving a dangerous disconnect between Gov. Ben Cayetano and Democratic leaders of the state Legislature.
If they don't join together before the Legislature begins its special session on Oct. 22, Hawai'i's economy — and spirit — could sink to fathomless depths.
Cayetano has done his job, proposing an aggressive plan to step up tourism promotion and make it easier for the industry to do business; prime the economy with a $1 billion construction program aimed mainly at public schools and the University of Hawai'i; and provide a safety net of extended unemployment and health insurance benefits for those dislocated.
Republicans have also advanced ideas worthy of consideration, such as offering free or sharply discounted airline tickets to lure visitors back, giving principals direct control of capital improvements for their schools and ending the excise tax on food and drugs to help those in greatest need.
Only legislative Democrats are playing politics-as-usual — barely acknowledging that anything changed on Sept. 11. They disparage the ideas of others while offering few of their own. The evening news has become a parade of scowling lawmakers chanting their tiresome mantra: "Cannot ... cannot ... cannot ... "
As lines at the unemployment offices grow by the day, this lack of urgency is astounding. Democratic legislators must quickly bridge their gap with the governor, throw some positive ideas into the mix and work with other interests to forge a meaningful agenda for the special session.
Our economy is going to take a big hit no matter what the state does, as we're dealing with forces largely beyond our control. But elements of Cayetano's plan, along with some measures proposed by Republicans, business leaders, the counties and University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle, have a real chance of limiting the damage. Doing nothing has no chance.
At the very least, the investment Cayetano proposes will leave our schools on a sound physical footing that will pay dividends for decades and help pave the way to a more diversified economy that reduces our future vulnerability to international events.
Legislative concern about increased debt service to pay for the construction program represents small thinking. Most of the building projects have been needed for years and, with interest rates at record lows, there will never be a better time to borrow.
The Legislature has let us down before in times of hardship. Lawmakers spent much of the 1990s vacillating on side issues like same-sex marriage while failing to quickly address the sharp economic decline that followed the Gulf War and Hurricane 'Iniki.
This reflects poor focus and discipline. Timid lawmakers operate under the theory that doing nothing is better than taking the risk of screwing up. In this case, doing nothing and screwing up are the same thing.
The president and Congress show a united front in times of crisis for good reason. The first rule of political leadership in emergency circumstances is to reassure the public that those in charge are working together and know what they're doing.
Our local leaders have left us anything but reassured.
David Shapiro can be reached by e-mail at dave@volcanicash.net
