It's not unusual for political aspirants to blast incumbent rivals in hopes of getting a leg up. Forget subtlety
when trying to
get ahead in politicsBut none are so blunt about their motivation as state Rep. Bob McDermott (R, Aiea-Halawa). In a brief news release, McDermott criticizes Hawaii's congressional delegates for voting against tax cuts, saying, "As a father of three children trying to make ends meet, I am outraged." Two paragraphs later, he gently reminds, "McDermott is rumored to be a congressional candidate in 2002."
Unity only for some: Democrats, espousing unity on the one hand, are showing their party chairman the door with the other. Shaken by Republican gains in the last state elections, Democrats with their eyes on 2002 are advancing a coordinated "call for unity" and are moving ahead with a younger spokesperson.
On April 16, the same day party faithful are holding a $100-a-head "Gathering of Friends," longtime Democrat Walter Heen, 72, is expected to step down and be replaced by Lorraine Akiba, 44.
Politics and money: The role of money in politics will be explored in a forum on April 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the state Capitol auditorium. "Money and Politics: Who Owns Democracy?" will break down the issue and offer direction for public action, including ideas and proposals drawn from across the political spectrum. Sponsors include the Hawaii Justice Foundation, Kettering Foundation and the University of Hawaii-Manoa College of Social Sciences' Urban and Regional Planning Department and Conflict Resolution program.
To register, fax your name, address and phone number to 956-6870, or e-mail NIFmoney_in_politics@yahoo.com.
[Winners & Losers]
Winners
<< Rep. Charles Djou: The state lawmaker wins access to long-withheld state budget worksheets after protesting that the public has been shut out of decisions on spending public money.Special education: Programs for special-needs children win an emergency $70 million appropriation, although the money only covers programs for the current year.
Randall Ogata: The controversial Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator faces the loss of his job, but a conflict on the OHA board postpones any action for two weeks.
Losers
Gov. Ben Cayetano: His proposed $1 billion construction budget is sliced in half by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which said "a more responsible approach must be taken.">> Sen. Rod Tam: He loses his attempt to kill Cayetano's plans for a world-class aquatic center at Kakaako, but it would have to be funded with special-purpose revenue bonds instead of state money.
Gamblers: They have a moment when the Senate discussed an interim study on legalized gambling, but then House and Senate leaders said the Legislature would not act on gambling this year.
Legislature Directory
Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes