Where legislators stand on the issues
| • | Reach your legislator: State House of Representatives |
| • | Reach your legislator: State Senate |
Advertiser Staff
State lawmakers return to session this week to try to balance the budget and boost the state economy in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Gov. Ben Cayetano has proposed doubling the state liquor tax and raiding the Hawai'i Hurricane Relief Fund to balance the budget, but likely will encounter strong resistance to both ideas at the Legislature.
The Advertiser polled all 76 state lawmakers to learn their positions on a variety of issues, from taxes and gambling to fluoridation.
This survey is intended as a "snapshot" of legislators' views as they begin the session. It offers clues about the directions your senators and representatives may be headed while there is still time to do something about it.
A number of legislators pointed out that they were stating very general positions on complex issues without hearing testimony on each subject. They said their views may shift if they hear compelling new arguments.
Nineteen of the House's 51 seats are held by Republicans, and three seats in the 25-member Senate are held by Republicans. The Legislature will open its 60-day session on Wednesday, and is scheduled to adjourn May 2.
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The survey questions
| • | House of Representatives responses, by topic |
| • | Senate responses, by topic |
Business/Taxes
1. Should the Legislature cancel the income tax cut scheduled for Jan. 1 to balance the state budget?
2. Increase taxes and fees to balance the state budget?
3. Eliminate the excise tax on food and rent?
4. Create an "excise tax holiday," a period each year when excise taxes are not charged on purchases less than $100?
Health
5. Would you authorize the state insurance commissioner to change health insurers' rates if the commissioner finds rates are "excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory?"
6. Would you require health plans to disclose their costs when seeking to increase rates?
7. Should a statewide "purchasing pool" be created to negotiate discounts in prescription drug purchases for people without drug coverage?
8. Should there be state price controls on prescription drugs?
9. Should the state require fluoridated drinking water?
Gambling
10. Would you vote to legalize casino gambling?
11. Do you support legalizing shipboard gambling?
12. Would you vote to establish a state lottery?
13. Should a non-binding straw-poll be placed on the 2002 ballot to determine whether the voters want to legalize gambling?
Government
14. Would you use money from the Hurricane Relief Fund to balance the state budget?
15. Lay off state employees to balance the budget?
16. Do you believe the size of state government should be reduced?
17. Should state election campaigns be completely publicly financed?
Other
18. Should Hawai'i change to elected county school boards?
19. Should public school principals and assistant principals be removed from unions?
20. Should the Ala Wai Golf Course be turned into a park?
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Support for the key issues
Based on the responses to the Advertiser survey, state legislators have provided a look at how much political support the following issues will have. Among the likely losers: gambling and Gov. Ben Cayetano's plan to turn the Ala Wai Golf Course into a regional park.
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How the survey was conducted
In November, The Advertiser gave legislators a one-page questionnaire asking them to indicate whether they support or oppose 20 proposals. Those who missed the Dec. 3 deadline to return the survey were contacted and given additional opportunities to respond. Of the 76 legislators, all but three senators and five House members answered at least some of the questions. Many lawmakers submitted written statements elaborating on their answers, and some refused to answer questions because they said their views on those issues couldn't be addressed with simple "support or oppose" answers. Others said they need to hear public testimony and review the specifics of each proposal before they can take a public position.
