Ethics complaint filed against Cayetano
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i Republican Party chairman Micah Kane yesterday filed an ethics complaint against Gov. Ben Cayetano, following a week-long partisan debate on Cayetano's press release criticizing GOP gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle's economic platform.
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Kane accused Cayetano of misusing government employees, resources and time for "blatant political campaigning" when the governor, a Democrat, told state Tax Director Marie Okamura to analyze the Lingle plan, then announced last week that Lingle's proposal for a new food tax credit and other changes would cost the state $428 million in lost tax collections in four years.
Gov. Ben Cayetano said he's looking forward to the hearing.
If the state Ethics Commission rules in the GOP's favor, the complaint will be referred to the Legislature for further action, which could include impeachment.
Cayetano yesterday said he looks forward to a public hearing on the matter and would call Lingle as a witness. "Ms. Lingle has tried to deflect attention from the real question here. How will her plan affect the state budget?" Cayetano said.
Cayetano said it cost the Department of Budget and Finance $140.91 and the Department of Taxation $259.79 to analyze Lingle's plan.
