Lingle to speak with businesses on how state awards contracts

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle plans to have a candid discussion with businesses and others Friday about the way the state awards government contracts, which she had promised voters she would reform.

The gathering will especially focus on nonbid contracts and "the relationship between nonbid contracts and campaign spending violations," Lingle told about 80 people at the Hawaii Publishers Association luncheon yesterday.

"I expect a lot of what they're going to talk about is things that went wrong in the past," Lingle said.

Lingle also expressed optimism for the economy "down the road," but noted the first couple of years will be a challenge regarding the state budget. Lingle officials have said they are seeking as much as $500 million in savings to help balance the budget and finance various political initiatives.

She defended her 5 percent across-the-board cut on all but the most critical spending by state agencies, saying, "there are lots of places the government can trim." She also repeated her plan to return money tied up in certain special funds to the state's general treasury.

Lingle also emphasized that she cannot turn things around by herself.

"We will have a big impact, there's no doubt," she said. "We have already had a big impact, in style and substance. But in order for us to really carry through in these next four years, we need the public to stay engaged with us, every single day.

"The business community in particular cannot sit back and feel like, great we have someone who is understanding of our issues, now we can just go back to work. I want you to be able to go back to work, but I want you to stay and help us in these next four years.

"It's going to be a challenge, there are lots of issues to deal with, I need a lot of expertise, and I hope you step forward to help us at this time."

Other topics Lingle discussed:

• Lingle plans to name the director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism tomorrow.
• Lingle also wants to restructure the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism so that it focuses on economic issues. Some agencies within the department she suggested may be affected include the Office of Planning, the Land Use Commission and Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii. Lingle said the HCDCH, which oversees public housing, probably belongs under the Department of Human Services.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.