Legislators consider
economic fixes

Both parties support the governor's
plans with some concerns

Cayetano urges Japanese to visit

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By Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com

State lawmakers met in closed-door caucuses yesterday to discuss Gov. Ben Cayetano's legislative package to tackle the state's economic crisis following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"I think it went very well and most of the members were very open and receptive to some of the ideas," House Speaker Calvin Say said after emerging from a five-hour meeting with House Democrats.

Legislative leaders met with their members to ready legislation for a special session slated for later this month.

"We're in agreement (with Democrats) that the highest priority is to get tourism back to its feet," House Minority Leader Galen Fox (R, Waikiki) said.

House Democrats had questions and concerns on issues including the governor's request for expanded emergency powers. Say said members wanted those powers to last for six months, expiring on June 30, and wanted a detailed reporting on how those powers were used.

"Because with the powers that he has, it may be abused sometimes, and you and I may not know who had been given the benefit," Say said.

Discussions also centered on relaxing procurement regulations and on the financing methods for the governor's $1 billion construction budget request.

Republicans got their first look at the details of the governor's plans with the administration's presentation yesterday.

"Today we heard about them in more detail, and next week we decide how we vote on them," Fox said.

While Republicans likely will support much of the proposed package, they also had concerns, some mirroring those expressed by Democrats.

"We want to be sure that the procurement process is fair to everyone ... as long as it doesn't end up favoring certain contracts or others," Fox said. "We're getting our first look at the broadening powers of the governor."

Fox said he's disappointed that a tax cut isn't being considered to stimulate the economy, as other states are trying. Republicans are in favor of suspending the food tax, having a retail tax holiday and lowering the capital gains tax.

Senate Democrats also met for several hours yesterday.

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Cayetano urges Japanese
to visit ‘safe’ islands

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Kyodo News Service

OSAKA >> Gov. Benjamin Cayetano stepped up calls today for more Japanese to spend their holidays in Hawaii despite security concerns in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks on the United States.

Hawaii is the safest region in the U.S., Cayetano told reporters in Osaka amid a sharp fall in the number of Japanese visitors to the state since the attacks.

The governor said Hawaii will reduce landing fees at Honolulu airport and boost airport security in a bid to resuscitate the state's tourism industry.

Earlier in the day, Cayetano met with Osaka Gov. Fusae Ota and asked her cooperation in promoting tourism in Hawaii.

Tourism revenue for the year is expected to dip by an estimated $1 billion in Hawaii in the worst case scenario, the governor said.

Earlier this week Cayetano met with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and transport minister Chikage Ogi.