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Nowadays, it's tough being a Democratic leader in the state House of Representatives. Dems sound off on
GOP, budget, ‘what if?’By Pat Omandam
Star-BulletinThe chamber's Republicans, beefed up to 19, have shown they have more control than in years past over the work of the Legislature.
The Democratic leaders also say the governor's proposed $1 billion capital improvement project budget for the next two years, especially plans for the Kakaako waterfront, has them in a no-win scenario.
The Democratic majority leaders met with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin editorial board yesterday to discuss the state budget, the Felix consent decree, politics and other matters as the legislative session nears its midpoint
The recent action and inaction of two Democratic representatives, Noboru Yonamine (Pearl City) and Ed Case (Manoa), have House Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo) wondering "what if?"
Yonamine was recently arrested for drunken driving, while Case -- who refused to return as House majority leader this session -- is dissatisfied with House leadership and is now a dissident member of the 32-member majority.
"When Ed turned me down, I said, 'What's the problem?' " Say recounted
"He had so much to offer on all the issues -- on civil service, the budget, parental consent, age of consent ... I don't know what's wrong," Say said.
The senior House member and businessman said Yonamine's Feb. 7 arrest -- his second for drunken driving -- came as a surprise. Say has since spoken with members on their professional conduct and wants to form a group to review the matter for the caucus. Yonamine had said he would resign after this session but was later persuaded to serve out his two-year term.
House leaders remain defensive over the GOP's successful use this month of the recall provision in the state Constitution. But House Vice Speaker Sylvia Luke (D, Nuuanu-Punchbowl) said Republicans could have accomplished the same thing through floor amendments or by working with Democratic members.
"What was disturbing to me was some members were not interested in passing any bills," Luke said. "Just to make a point, they were willing to kill all bills."
House Majority Whip Brian Schatz (D, Makiki) said everyone favors cutting taxes and spending on education but the majority also has the responsibility of balancing the state budget. It won't tolerate the incompatible "voodoo" positions individual Republicans have on various issues.
As for Gov. Ben Cayetano's proposed $1 billion capital improvement budget, Say said the plan gives people "false expectations" and instructed the House Finance Committee not to fund $500 million in construction funds for each of the next two years.
"At this point, I think it was very irresponsible of the governor to float a $1 billion CIP budget," Say said.
Say was critical of the planning for the Kakaako waterfront redevelopment. The Cayetano administration should have started years earlier to remove existing tenants in an area now touted as the new home for the University of Hawaii Medical School, a world-class aquarium and the Bishop Museum, he said.
Cayetano is expected to return to work today after a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a National Governors' Association meeting.
"From a business point of view, it's very impractical to put money up for something that may not take place until you relocate the tenants," Say said.
The speaker said the state can spend about $125 million a year for all construction projects, but long-term funding commitments, including the 20-year, $30 million-a-year settlement with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, mean there's actually only $80 million left to go around in the proposed two-year biennium budget.
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