While the Democrats continued their message of fiscal restraint in a slowing economy, Republican Gov. Linda Lingle surprised them by suggesting that the state buy the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore.

Some were taken off guard by the proposal, which House Finance chairman Marcus Oshiro called "bold and audacious." House Speaker Calvin Say and Senate President Colleen Hanabusa sent an immediate message to lawmakers who represent the North Shore: "Brace yourselves."

It's an election year, and lawmakers whose constituents will be directly affected by the purchase will have to tread carefully as they try to balance the desires of their community with the needs of the entire state.

After releasing their joint-package the week before, on Thursday both the House and Senate majority caucuses introduced individual priority packages.

Each chamber has introduced a bill to fund repair and maintenance projects at the University of Hawai'i. A spotlight on shabby athletic facilities after UH Warriors coach June Jones departed for Southern Methodist University has prompted lawmakers to pledge significant money for repair, maintenance and upgrades across the 10-campus system.

Representatives introduced HB 2521, which would put 1 percent of general fund revenues into an account to be used solely for repair and maintenance of UH facilities.

Senators introduced the broader Senate Bill 2820, which would authorize general obligation bonds to fund Department of Education and UH repair and maintenance projects.

Neither chamber included early childhood education among its priorities, but public hearings started yesterday on House Bill 2973, which would create an Early Learning Council and establish an early learning system and the Keiki First Steps Program. The proposed 10-year plan would eventually offer learning opportunities to 80 percent of Hawai'i's pre-kindergarten children.

Reciprocal beneficiaries were also not included in the priority packages, but on Friday the House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 2456, which would allow reciprocal beneficiaries or domestic partners to choose to file taxes as separate individuals, married, or married filed singly.

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