[ STATE HOUSE ]
42
Waipahu-Ewa
Alfonso Jimenez
RepublicanAge: 39 Job: Physician Past: Vice president of medical staff, St. Francis Medical Center-West
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
My private family practice clinic has served the community for years, therefore, I have an intimate understanding of local issues. I've been involved in health-care politics by serving as vice president of the medical staff at St. Francis-West and knew that more could be accomplished through local government.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Decentralizing the DOE is essential. Competency testing must be implemented. Low-scoring schools need to be sanctioned. The DOE needs to admit the problems it will face executing the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Instead, offer parents choices like educational tax cuts and vouchers.
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Small businesses are struggling under excessive taxes and regulation. They pay income taxes, payroll taxes, insurance for workers' compensation, site, temporary disability and health, plus the general excise tax. A large chunk of income is going out. I would push to lower taxes and eliminate some of the overregulation.
Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo
DemocratAge: 21 Job: Martial arts instructor Past: State legislative aide; Alliance for Traditional Marriage
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Working with my father, Mike Gabbard, and others to pass a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage, I learned that real leaders are willing to make personal sacrifices for the common good. I will bring that attitude of public service to the Legislature.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
We need to refocus on reading and writing -- and that doesn't cost a lot. Kids will learn if they want to. We can increase their hunger to learn by integrating school with real-life situations. If kids see that learning will open doors they want to pass through, they'll be motivated.
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
We should give more tax credits, like those created by Act 221 of 2001, which have helped to stimulate the high-tech industry. Similar tax credits for other industries would attract investment from the mainland and abroad. Also, government must become a help rather than a hindrance to small business.
