Posted on: Thursday, January 20, 2005

By Marcus Oshiro
House Majority Leader

Fifty years ago, a new legislature was called into session. For the first time in Hawai'i's history, it was a Legislature made up of a Democratic majority.

This was a major turning point. In the 1954 election, rightfully called the "Democratic Revolution," the people took to heart what the Democrats stood for:

• A living wage for working people.

• Fairness and equal opportunity regardless of race, age or gender.

• Help for those less fortunate — the needy, the poor, the homeless.

• Communities built on freedom and tolerance.

I stand here today to remind us, as lawmakers, of these values which we must never forget:

First, we will invest in public education — "the great equalizer" — not only to raise our standard of living, but to enable our children to reach for the stars and attain their highest aspirations.

Second, that our legacy will be judged by how we preserve our natural resources and the environment for future generations.

Third, that we must be vigilant in protecting our civil liberties and Hawai'i's Bill of Rights.

Finally, that the people come first — before money, before special interests and, most importantly, before politics.

Improving student achievement is at the top of our agenda.

Last session, the Legislature created Act 51, the Reinventing Education Act of 2004. In 2005, the majority will look to refine Act 51 by strengthening the partnership with the Department of Education and monitoring the administration of this important measure.

For many O'ahu families, gridlock traffic is one of the most pressing issues affecting their quality of life. For our Neighbor Island families, the needs may be very different. Obviously, the transportation needs differ from island to island, but the problems are the same.

That's why we will be looking to empower the counties with the authority to levy a county tax, with the proceeds to be used solely for public transit services within their county.

No one should have to live on the streets nor fear economic ruin from illness or injury. The basic necessities of shelter and good health are often things we take for granted. Yet, for 6,000 of our 'ohana, survival has become a day-to-day struggle. We must do better.

Hawai'i's real estate market has been booming for several years, and for those who are fortunate to own a home and can take advantage of the market through buying and selling, life is good.

However, we are deeply concerned for those at the other end of the spectrum — affordable housing for the middle class or first-time home-buyers, affordable rentals for the many who, realistically, will never be able to purchase a home. And last but never least, the chronically homeless.

Who are the chronically homeless? Many are developmentally disabled. Many are Native Hawaiian. Many are veterans. Many are victims of abuse. Isn't Hawai'i a compassionate society? Aren't we compassionate people?

In 1974, Hawai'i's Democrats courageously led the nation in passing the Prepaid Healthcare Act, requiring employers to provide health insurance for all of their workers. As a result, almost everyone in the state was covered. However, today, over 30 years later, approximately 120,000 Hawai'i residents are uninsured and unable to receive medical care.

In 2005, the majority package will include legislation to form a two-year commission with the goal to provide accessible, affordable healthcare for everyone in Hawai'i. This initiative will cover health issues from obesity in our young people to long-term care for our seniors.

The majority will continue to focus on improving workers' compensation by balancing the interests of the employer and the employee. In particular, reducing workers' compensation fraud will result in reduced premiums and savings for businesses.

We must end discrimination in the area of family leave and support equal treatment of women in the workforce.

We will (consider) a measure to use a portion of the conveyance tax as a funding source for the purchase of what we call "legacy lands." We believe that the lands adjacent to our precious shoreline should be preserved so that future generations will have access to our beaches, that view planes to the ocean are unobstructed, and that these lands be dedicated to public use rather than private use.

When I think of how it must have felt for the Democrats on opening day 50 years ago, I'm filled with pride and inspiration by their courage.

Fifty years from now, a Democrat can rise on this floor and be proud of the work we start today.