EDITORIAL
With compromise, special session is doable
An unusual number of pointed vetoes from Gov. Cayetano has promoted an unusually vigorous call for a special session of the Legislature to deal with them.
Such a special session could have value if legislators approach it from the standpoint of working with the governor and his objections rather than simply steamrolling ahead on overrides.
A close look at some of Cayetano's vetoes suggests he was not necessarily opposed to the fundamental ideas behind some of these bills but was unhappy with the way they came out in final form.
One such example is the campaign spending reform bill, which Cayetano supports in principle but opposes in specifics because it fails to include legislators within its new restrictions. That should be easy to fix.
Legislators said they exempted themselves because, for instance, they are not directly involved in the awarding of government contracts, so there is no need to bar them from receiving contributions from people who do work for government.
Yes, the conflict of interest may not be quite as direct, but it still can happen. There's no reason lawmakers cannot take some of the good medicine they prescribe for administrators.
Another example is the far-reaching tax credit bill for the Ko Olina resort. Cayetano's objections appeared to be focused on vagueness of the tax credit language and the fact that it was targeted at a specific project rather than at an industry in general.
He does not appear to object to the idea of stimulating new development and new jobs on the Leeward Coast. If the bill could be rewritten to meet his objections (and at the same time offer greater clarity about the project's "world-class" aquarium), it might fly.
The point here is that there were many good ideas and positive sentiments lodged in the bills vetoed this week. Rather than simply overriding the governor and facing further hassles down the road, lawmakers should reach out toward a compromise that would achieve their objectives while answering some of Cayetano's objections.
Do that and a special session could make sense.
