Tuesday, September 8, 1998
WASHINGTON -- When it comes to fiscal matters, most folks wouldn't mention Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano in the same breath with George W. Bush and Christine Todd Whitman, the Republican governors of Texas and New Jersey, respectively. Fiscal restraint puts gov
among GOP leadersBut the Cato Institute, a leading libertarian think tank here, has done precisely that, giving all three state leaders a "B" grade in its biennial fiscal report card.
Cato, which treasures fiscal restraint, praised Cayetano for slowing the state's spending growth and called him "the most fiscally conservative governor in many years" in "this heavily liberal Democratic state."
Cayetano, who received a "D" when he took office in 1994, is hailing his higher grade this year, saying it recognizes his efforts to reduce spending and the success of his push for personal income tax cuts.
Nonetheless, Whitman will be in Honolulu on Friday to campaign for Linda Lingle, the Republican gubernatorial candidate and Maui mayor.
Only two governors -- both Republican -- got an "A" on the report card, while 17 got a "B," 19 received a "C," five received a "D," and three flunked.
ON THE LINE Honolulu City Councilman Steve Holmes -- called "Mr. Clean" by some of his colleagues -- is carrying two cellular telephones these days.
It's all part of an effort by Holmes, who's running for re-election, to totally comply with campaign ethics provisions.
One is his campaign phone, paid for by his campaign committee. The other is his standard work phone, paid for by the city.
"It's the ultimate in geekiness, I guess," Holmes said bemusedly.
"When I'm driving, it does get a little awkward in terms of figuring out which one is ringing."
Holmes has never accepted contributions from groups he considers to be special interest, and he doesn't accept more than $250 per election from anyone.
By Star-Bulletin staff