Rep. Case slaps senators for
vote on Bronster, Anzai

As has been obvious from letters to the editor and a recent statewide survey of registered voters commissioned by the Star-Bulletin and KHNL-TV, the public doesn't believe the reasons offered by state senators, who rejected Margery Bronster for a second four-year term as attorney general by a 14-11 vote. Neither does House Majority Leader Ed Case, who also has suspicions of the Senate's 15-10 rejection of Earl Anzai as budget director.

In a recent mailing to his constituents, the Manoa Democrat seemingly called the Senate majority liars. His quote:

"Unfortunately, the session was permanently marred by the Senate's rejection of the confirmation of Margery Bronster and Earl Anzai. (House members do not vote on confirmations.) I completely share the community's outrage over these actions, and can assure you that the true reasons had very little to do with those stated publicly."

Case did not elaborate in his mailing and was on vacation and unavailable for further comment.

In rejecting Bronster, the Senate majority faulted her for what they saw as poor management style, including micromanaging. They also questioned legal opinions, including one that concluded public workers contracts had to be renegotiated because a pact the state had reached with the unions wasn't funded by the Legislature. The vote had nothing to do with Bronster's investigation of the Bishop Estate, they insisted.