Posted on: Wednesday, February 26, 2003

EDITORIAL
Lingle must keep Hawai'i in the NGA

Hawai'i Gov. Linda Lingle found herself at the center of a flap this week during meetings of the National Governors Association in Washington.

Several Republican governors, including Lingle, complained that the association was taking too contentious — if not too liberal — a position with regard to President Bush's budget policies.

At one point, Lingle joined several GOP governors who declared they would withdraw from the organization because of its critical statements about Bush.

"Republican governors won't agree to oppose a Republican president," she was quoted as saying.

A trigger point for Lingle and other Republicans was a draft resolution that would have opposed tax cuts proposed by Bush and would have called for massive infusions of money into the states to help pay for federal mandates.

But after a "blood-letting" session over the weekend, a more moderate resolution was crafted that asks for help but does not put a particular dollar amount on it.

According to news reports, Lingle told NGA vice chairman Dirk Kempthorn of Idaho that this week's gathering would be her first and last governor's meeting.

But Kempthorn, a Republican, reportedly convinced Lingle to remain within the organization even if she sticks by her decision not to pay Hawai'i's annual dues. Kempthorn said he needs Lingle's help to change things within the association.

Lingle should stay with the group, even if it feels somewhat out of step with her politics and those of the president.

The beauty of the National Governors Association is that — when it does achieve consensus — it is a powerful voice for change and reform in Washington, particularly on social issues.

Consider, for instance, the issues highlighted in that compromise resolution:

While specific numbers were lacking, the resolution directly calls on Bush and the administration for greater help in paying for homeland security, special education (the "Felix" case in Hawai'i) and for the costs associated with the mandates of the No Child Left Behind education law.

Clearly, Hawai'i's budget problems are being heightened by the costs associated with these three programs. It's the same story in most states.

In struggling to deal with these costs and the shortfall of federal help, Lingle cannot afford to go it alone. She should stick with the organization, work for internal reform and keep Hawai'i's voice in place as part of a nationwide chorus that speaks for the states in our nation's capital.