Schools at top of GOP agenda
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Republicans in the state Senate and House of Representatives say that, like Gov. Linda Lingle, fixing education, creating more jobs and fighting crime will be their three main areas of focus when the Legislature convenes on Wednesday.
Rep. Guy Ontai, R-37th (Mililani, Waipi'o), said the minority caucus will continue to support the call of fellow Republican Lingle to place on the ballot a question asking voters if they want local school boards.
The Republicans also will support the recommendation by the governor's Citizens Achieving Reform in Education committee to establish a weighted student formula.
Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-19th (Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki), said Republicans will endorse Lingle's plan to raise the standard deduction on income taxes, a move that would take 14,000 low-income families off state tax rolls.
Marumoto also reiterated the Republican call to eliminate the 4 percent excise tax on food and drug purchases. Such a plan would, by GOP estimates, eliminate $182 million in annual state revenues, but Republicans said they believe a reinvigorated economy would more than make up for the revenues.
Republicans said they support some portions of the Democratic lawmakers' $21 million package to fight the crystal methamphetamine epidemic but think it does not go far enough on the law enforcement side. "Crushing ice means prevention as well as cure," said House Minority Leader Galen Fox, R-23rd (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako).
Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waim?nalo, Hawai'i Kai) said Republicans can work with Democrats on a number of the initiatives within the ice package. "But ... they left out the law enforcement element of the whole program and it will not work," he said. "We want to give people the opportunity to cure their disease if they're willing, ready and able to do it but we also want to protect the public ... when it comes to crimes related to ice."
Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), said Republicans also will lead a charge to once again eliminate binding arbitration as a means of settling contract disputes when talks between the state and non-essential bargaining units of the white-collar Hawai'i Government Employees Association reach an impasse.
The Republicans hold five of 25 seats in the state Senate and 15 of the 51 seats in the House.
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
