Lingle administration policy adviser Linda Smith's May 2 Island Voices column in The Honolulu Advertiser is criticism for criticism's sake. Smith either does not understand what happened this legislative session or is intentionally ignoring it. This kind of political bickering serves no one.

Contrary to Smith's opinion, this was the most productive and comprehensive session for land conservation, renewable energy and agriculture that we have had since Gov. Linda Lingle took office. Here are some examples:

RENEWABLE ENERGY

The Legislature passed a bill to place solar water heating units on the roofs of all new housing developments. Another measure will allow photovoltaic energy generators on lower-grade agricultural lands, allowing us to actually "farm the sun." We passed bills to incentivize residential photovoltaic units and net energy metering that can make homes and businesses renewable energy generators.

We created a coordinated system for renewable energy facility siting that will expedite the process for needed permits without compromising safeguards. With the current process for large facilities taking as long as 10 years, this crucial piece of legislation would allow producers of wind or solar energy to get operations up and running in as little as half the time.

AGRICULTURE

The Legislature passed a bill that permits the use of lands in agricultural districts for agricultural-energy facilities when the production, storage and distribution of renewable energy are integrated with an agricultural activity. Growing our own fuel sources won't just happen magically. It needs a comprehensive planning framework. We have provided it and hope that the administration and private sector will team up to move assertively on these goals.

The Legislature fulfilled a 30-year-old mandate to begin the designation of "important agricultural lands" by establishing a set of incentives including tax credits, loan guarantees, and zoning accommodations for private landowners who agree to preserve their lands for agricultural production, be it for food or renewable fuels.

Regarding open space, we also continued our efforts to preserve our most treasured open spaces by authorizing negotiations to purchase the Galbraith Estate lands on the North Shore of O'ahu, and establishing a commission to oversee the management of the Ha'iku Valley Cultural Preserve.

To preserve other lands, the Legislature established a tax incentive for private property owners to donate special lands into conservation forever.

ENVIRONMENT

The Legislature passed measures to statutorily establish a biosecurity program and for the planning and construction of new, jointly run federal and state biosecurity facilities at our airports and harbors.

Bills were passed to prevent the influx of invasive species. With the threat of brown tree snakes, fire ants and other alien species, this is not something we can do later.

We also passed a measure to facilitate the recycling of electronic devices, which, often loaded with mercury and other potentially harmful substances, are becoming an increasingly larger challenge to landfills and our environment.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Legislature's determination to restrain spending does not come easily when there are so many needs and so many state responsibilities to fulfill. Certainly, everyone could make good use of a tax rebate, but the fact is that Hawai'i's economy is slowing dramatically and the state budget must account for the slowdown.

In a six-month period from September 2007 to March 2008, the state Council on Revenues estimate for net revenue growth dropped more than 30 percent. Keep in mind that this was before the airline failures, the closure of Molokai Ranch and the loss of cruise ship business. Clearly, these numbers will drop even further.

We appreciate the governor's optimism about the economy, but it will not pay the bills. Because the administration so willingly took the credit when our economy was pumping away, it must take responsibility as we move into tougher times. Linda Smith blaming the Legislature is old rhetoric and will not address the major economic concerns in front of us.

This year's Legislature faced a worsening economic picture and put the budget into balance. We passed comprehensive legislation in areas that develop our own energy sources, protect our environment and conserve our precious lands. Hawai'i's lawmakers have done a good job for the people of our state, and no amount of armchair-quarterback criticism can take that away.

Rep. Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), is speaker of the House. Rep. Kirk Caldwell D-24th (Manoa) is House majority leader. They wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.