Marilyn Lee

Party: Democratic

Age: 69

Job: Registered nurse.

Born in Schenectady, N.Y. In Hawaii since 1981, arrived from Taipei, where we were posted with the US Foreign Service.

Lives: Mililani

Contact: 542-4438, marilynlee@hawaii.rr.com

Web site: www.leemarilynb.com

Job history past 10 years:
Worked at Wahiawa General Hospital for 24 years until two years ago. Not employed at present.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Have run for office six times previously for this seat and won each time. First elected in 1996.

Other civic experience or community service:
Served 10 years on Mililani Neighborhood Board — four years as Chair; Mililani Drug Free; Mililani HS PTSA and SCBM in past; American Cancer Society; President of Central Oahu Caregivers Support Group.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Married to Sam Lee, 4 children, 3 grandchildren, avid gardener, perfect attendance on House floor.

1) Why are you running for office?
I have been active in the Mililani community for 27 years and have 35 years of experience in Health care, including management experience. During my years in the Legislature, I have increased my knowledge of state government, and made meaningful contributions to good public policy. I work hard, do my homework, and understand the roles and responsibilities of an elected official. I love Hawaii.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Education; Maintaining the Health Care Safety Net; Economic development are three areas that are important priorities. Government spending must be future oriented, provide for the public health and safety, and leaders must bring everyone to the table to help devise solutions. New areas of savings and new sources of revenue must be explored as well.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
We should step up our development of renewable energy resources; decrease reliance on fossil fuels and encourage public transportation, biking and walking; encourage energy conservation by educating the public and especially the young people; develop housing close to centers of employment; develop housing around transit stations; encourage the construction of "green" buildings.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
Early childhood education is most important because this is where success in school begins. The Legislature took the first steps toward Universal preschool this session. We must also concentrate on workforce development so we can have highly qualified teachers in every classroom.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
Reimbursement is a major problem for both public and private hospitals as a great number of clients are on Medicare and Medicaid. We need to remedy the unfair reimbursement rate received by Hawaii hospitals. We must also address the problem of patients who are wait-listed for long-term care and remain in acute beds. We created the Long Term care commission to help solve this problem.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
It's the Economy. The legislature will have to evaluate state spending to make sure our state continues to progress despite decreasing revenues, and everyone will have to make sacrifices. I will work on asset building to create financial stability by encouraging savings, financial literacy and prevention of predatory lending. We will have to work together to create new sources of revenue.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
I would work to pass a financing mechanism for long term care that would reduce our dependence on Medicaid; provide support to family caregivers; reduce the need for institutional care; license paid homecare providers; institute a system of cash and counseling for unpaid providers, and make the community aware of the value of the family caregiver to the economy of the state.