Session begins amicably
By Lynda Arakawa and Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
House and Senate Democratic leaders opened the 2003 legislative session yesterday with a cordial pledge to work cooperatively with Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, while drawing political lines that foreshadow the battles ahead.
Photos by Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
The Democrats made it clear they will stand firm, as Senate President Robert Bunda put it, on "our own agenda for change," and filled their opening day speeches with proposals — many of them rehashed — ranging from a light-rail system for Honolulu and drug testing for students to their own economic and education initiatives.
House Speaker Calvin Say presents a "lucky bamboo" plant to Gov. Linda Lingle. Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona applauds the choice of gift.
Meanwhile, Republicans in both houses reveled in the fact that for the first time in 40 years they have a powerful advocate in the governor's office. But Democrats still outnumber Republicans by 20-5 in the Senate and by 36-15 in the House.
Before a packed Senate chamber, Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), talked about embracing change and seizing opportunities to work together on issues that rise above partisan politics.
But he also warned members not to surrender their principles for the sake of agreement, saying: "Let us not intend to sacrifice common-sense solutions in our quest for consensus."
"Governor Lingle, the members of the Senate make this pledge to you and your new administration: We promise open and honest communication," he said.
U.S. Rep Ed Case reaches out to shake the hand of a well-wisher at the opening of the 2003 Legislature. His wife Audrey and former state Department of Transportation director Brian Minaai joined him.
"But we are not without our own agenda for change. We are not blind to the needs of the people who elected us. And we are not without a will of our own to set a record of achievement that is responsive to the will of the people."
House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise), also extended a friendly hand to Lingle, saying: "In this time of turmoil, Hawai'i voters made a historic decision.
"We elected the first woman as governor in our state's history. The fact that she is also a Republican is not my concern. She is our governor, we need each other's help, and we must find a way to work together to meet the challenges of our time."
But later in his speech, Say spent several minutes criticizing President Bush's administration for putting forth various federal initiatives.
Freshman Sen. Shan Tsutsui holds daughter Mikayla in his lap as he listens to opening-day speeches. Tsutsui, a Democrat elected from Kahului, Maui, will serve as the Senate's majority caucus leader.
"Today in our nation's capital, old thinking rules the administration's policies," he said. "These worn-out ideas propose enormous tax cuts for the very rich while the national deficit begins climbing toward historic highs."
Lingle was clearly irked by those remarks and told reporters after the ceremonies that she found it inappropriate for Say to discuss the Republican president's national policies in an opening day speech.
"But it's his speech, he gets to say what he wants," she said. "I thought, I'm wondering if he's going to run for Congress next time. I'm serious — as I sat there, I wondered why he would talk about something like that on opening day."
Lingle qualified that statement by noting that she appreciated Say's "reaching out" and promising to work with Republicans and others.
On the GOP side, leaders were ebullient. They reaffirmed their intention to reduce the general excise tax and to no longer let it apply to food and medical care. They said they'll cut the state work force through attrition. The Republicans also will support creating more charter schools and finding equal money for them, as well as decentralizing the Board of Education.
Freshman Rep. Cindy Evans, a Democrat from the Big Island, acknowledges applause during her introduction.
"Someone I have dear affection for said basically to the effect that our package has a snowball's chance in paradise of getting passed unless there was some sort of outside force," said Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Portlock).
"Colleagues, I want to introduce you to the outside force. Please meet Gov. Linda Lingle."
Advertiser staff writer Treena Shapiro contributed to this report. Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. They can also be reached at 525-8070.
