THE 2002 HAWAI'I STATE LEGISLATURE
Gambling ballot gets support
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Democratic Rep. K. Mark Takai and wife Sami, right, brought their son Matthew to the floor just after yesterday's recess. Republican Rep. Colleen Meyer was among well-wishers greeting the baby, who'll be 3 months old tomorrow.
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
The idea of holding a voter referendum to gauge public support for gambling was backed by Gov. Ben Cayetano and a top lawmaker yesterday as the Legislature opened its 2002 session.
Cayetano said for the first time that he supports a state referendum to determine whether residents want to legalize gambling in Hawai'i.
Senate President Robert Bunda also supported the referendum in his opening-day speech.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Although the statements by two of the state's top Democrats would improve the odds of a gambling proposal advancing in the Legislature this year, the idea of a referendum still faces considerable resistance in the House.
The legislative opener was subdued yesterday, but one thing was the same: Plenty grinds — and all kinds.
Lawmakers convened yesterday in a toned-down version of the customary opening-day festivities, with none of the Waikiki showroom acts and popular entertainers who often brought brassy celebrations to the legislative chambers in years past.
Lawmakers' speeches were almost grim, stressing the theme of economic recovery from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Unlike a constitutional amendment, in which voters make concrete changes, a referendum is simply a nonbinding poll of voter sentiment on an issue. Under the proposal discussed yesterday, a referendum would be presented to voters on Election Day.
"I'd like to know what the people say," Cayetano said. "Otherwise, if you judge just by who attends the committee hearings, this Legislature would be dominated by Republicans. What does that tell you? There's a huge silent majority out there that doesn't agree with some of that."
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Previously, Cayetano maintained that there was little reason for a referendum and said he wanted voters to decide whether to legalize gambling by voting on proposed constitutional amendment on a ballot.
But it takes a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot, and that appears almost impossible.
Even getting a referendum on the ballot may be an uphill struggle. An Advertiser survey of the 51 House members showed only a dozen in favor of a straw poll; 20 said they are opposed to it and the other 19 did not respond.
The Capitol, brightly decorated with floral arrangements for opening day, was filled yesterday as lobbyists, unions members and a sizable contingent of Korean War veterans mixed with lawmakers and their families, balancing plate lunches on lanai railings.
| Opening remarks | |
| • | Calvin Say Focus on Waikiki, UH, fuel |
| • | Robert Bunda Finding money tops agenda |
| • | Galen Fox We must do things differently |
| • | Sam Slom No to traffic cameras, gambling |
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Louis Baldovi, a 70-year-old Army veteran of the Korean War's battle at "Old Baldy," said the veterans hope lawmakers will provide $200,000 to help pay for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war next year.
In his opening remarks to the 2002 Legislature, House Speaker Calvin Say called for an expansion of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa into areas makai of the H-1 Freeway as part of a push to develop new industries and diversify the economy.
Say, D-18th (Palolo, St. Louis, Kaimuki), said the university must increase in size to meet the changing needs of the state and to embrace research and development. He said he wants businesses in the neighboring community included in the plan. "It is not my intent to displace these businesses, but to incorporate them in expansion efforts to make the university a viable college town," he said.
UH President Evan Dobelle said he was highly gratified by remarks from the legislative leadership yesterday and delighted with the challenge to expand the university makai of H-1 and revitalize Mo'ili'ili; create a Hydrogen Energy Authority at UH-Hilo; and develop a Pacific Center for Ecosystem Sciences at Paradise Park.
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| Before calling the session to order, Senate President Robert Bunda, left, received a handshake from Senate Minority Leader Sam Slom.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser |
House Minority Leader Galen Fox, urging his colleagues to "be honest with ourselves about the inadequacy of the solutions we have tried in the past," said: "This time it is essential that we do things differently and do them better."
Fox, D-21st (Waikiki, Ala Wai), argued that lawmakers must create local school districts to allow for local control of public education, and hire school principals under "performance-based" contracts.
He also echoed the perennial call for an end to the 4 percent excise tax on food, medical services and rent.
Bunda also had some ideas for the University of Hawai'i, proposing to give it control and management of Aloha Stadium.
Senate Minority Leader Sam Slom, R-8th (Wai'alae Iki, Hawai'i Kai), pledged to be bipartisan in working toward solutions that help taxpayers and hold state leaders accountable. "We must deliver this year and not be blinded by political consequences," Slom said.
And he took aim at the state's unpopular program that uses traffic cameras to catch speeders who are issued tickets by mail. "Besides being an affront to due process, the aloha spirit and police officers, these bounty spy- cameras are causing great economic loss and potential danger," Slom said.
Advertiser staff writers Kevin Dayton and Lynda Arakawa contributed to this report.
