Case vows change in 'political culture'
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed Case yesterday pledged to restore public trust in state government if elected by reforming procurement and campaign financing laws and fostering a more open government.
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"Essentially what we have to do today is change an entire political culture to make the public again trust government," Case said. "This has to be something that we start with because if we want to solve the other problems that we face, such as the economy and public education and the cost of government, the public has to believe that this government is acting for the public and not for any special interest."
Rep. Ed Case promises to have an inclusive representation throughout government if he is elected governor.
Case said over the last decade the state has had a political culture that makes most people feel excluded.
"People refer to it in various ways, calling it the machine or the status quo, the old-boy network," he said. "All of those phrases are tossed about and what they really come down to in people's minds is a feeling, a belief, that government is not acting for them — that their government is acting for a select few, for the benefit of that select few. And whether that is true or not, the perception is just as important as the reality."
Case said he believes Gov. Ben Cayetano has generally run a clean administration, but that there are pockets of areas that are under scrutiny, referring to a state investigation into an alleged cash-for-contracts kickback scheme at the Honolulu International Airport.
Case wants to reform bidding and procurement laws and create a "one strike and you're out" policy for government misconduct. He also said he wants to prohibit gifts to government employees and create an independent special counsel to review and investigate suspected government misconduct.
Case also said he wants to reintroduce a bill to prohibit corporations, labor unions and government contractors from contributing campaign money to politicians and experiment with public financing of political campaigns in certain races.
Case also pledged to have an inclusive representation throughout government by bringing in people from other political parties and those who have campaigned for his opponents. He also wants to invite people representing various communities to Washington Place at least once a month to talk with him and his family, set up and attend monthly town meetings in every county, and have roving department and Cabinet meetings "from Hilo to Hanalei."
Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
