Senate Republicans say they want to replace the state Public Utilities Commission with an Energy Commission, get rid of the Land Use Commission and stop state regulation of medical equipment purchases. Senate GOP wants less
isle regulationBy Bruce Dunford
Associated PressThe three minority members of the 25-member state Senate outlined their legislative proposals Thursday, saying there is a need to eliminate government-sanctioned monopolies that stifle competition.
Minority Floor Leader Fred Hemmings (R, Kailua-Wai- manalo) said the Democrats facing the state's economic and revenue crisis "are like deer in the headlights."
"They are about to get run over, and they are frozen. They don't have any new ideas, no solutions, and it seems like the few things they put on the table was business as usual."
He said the Republicans "believe monopolies, both public and private, stifle the marketplace, drive up prices and eliminate opportunities and choice for consumers."
The GOP wants to take regulation of trucking and transportation out of the hands of the PUC, which limits competition through regulation, Hemmings said.
The monopoly of electrical utilities mandated by the PUC is an "unholy alliance" that makes Hawaii's electric rates higher than on the mainland, he said.
An Energy Commission would work toward diversifying the energy sources and provide incentive for more competition in the marketplace, Hemmings said.
Sen. Bob Hogue (R, Kaneohe-Enchanted Lake) said the Republicans want to end the monopoly on public education by breaking the statewide system into locally controlled districts headed by locally elected school boards.
They also want to double to 50 the number of charter schools, increase the per-student allowance and give charter school teachers credit for tenure and seniority in the public school system, he said.
While the Republicans support apublic referendums to decide state issues, they do not want the nonbinding straw vote being suggested by Senate President Robert Bunda (D, Wahiawa-North Shore) to determine the public's view on legalized gambling, said Minority Leader Sam Slom (R, Kalama Valley-Aina Haina).
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