Agendas start getting under way at the Capitol
| • | Legislature 2008 |
| • | Chamber urging review law exemption |
Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writers
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The second session of the 24th state Legislature opened Wednesday with speeches that concentrated on themes of sustainability and embracing change to create a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
State House and Senate Democrats mostly avoided policy specifics until later in the week, when they unveiled a joint majority package of bills with initiatives on energy and the environment, affordable housing, and repair and maintenance at the University of Hawai'i. House and Senate Republicans, along with Gov. Linda Lingle, called for tax relief to help people cope with the state's high cost of living. Republican lawmakers also agreed to push for a management audit of the state Department of Education.
Players and coaches from UH-Manoa's Western Athletic Conference champion teams in football, women's volleyball and women's soccer were honored on opening day, creating a more festive atmosphere to go along with the traditional songs, food and talk story.
Activists also took advantage of the opening-day crowds and news media coverage at the state Capitol to argue against genetic modification of taro, a plant some Native Hawaiians consider sacred.
State lawmakers still must review the settlement.
The committee will review complaints brought by lawmakers. The House also for the first time defined what constitutes a conflict of interest — basically bills that have a direct personal or financial impact on lawmakers or relatives — and banned honoraria such as speaking fees solely related to lawmakers' legislative roles.
The House also tightened up the 48-hour notice requirement for hearings to discourage late postings at the end of the work week that do not give the public adequate time to learn of hearings. House lawmakers also will have to explain, in writing, when they seek waivers of the notice requirement.
State Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), and state Sen. Gordon Trimble, R-12th (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Downtown), moved to oust Hemmings after questioning whether he has been effective at recruiting candidates and communicating the party's message.
State Sen. Paul Whalen, R-3rd (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u), declined a suggestion from Trimble that he become minority leader during a caucus on Tuesday. Trimble and Slom, realizing they did not have Whalen's vote, decided not to call for a vote on Hemmings' leadership.
Bainum might be interested in running for the state Senate seat held by Trimble.
"I'm looking at several races," Bainum, who owns a place in Trimble's district, told The Advertiser on Tuesday. "I am considering getting back in politics."
Asked specifically about a state Senate campaign, Bainum said: "I'm looking at several races. I have not ruled out the mayor's race or the state Senate. I'm looking at all options."
Bainum spent more than $4 million in his campaign against Hannemann four years ago. If he runs for state Senate, he would likely have to face Brickwood Galuteria, a former Democratic Party of Hawai'i chairman, in the primary.
Galuteria plans to make a formal announcement about his state Senate campaign in early February, but confirmed again Tuesday that he is likely to run.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com and Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.
