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School, fiscal reform
top Lingle agenda

The GOP front-runner for
governor pledges charter school
aid and stricter budget review


By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

The Republican front-runner in the race for governor, Linda Lingle, promises to change government in Hawaii if elected this November.

There would be more support for state charter schools, local school boards and a stricter review of the state budget if she is elected, Lingle said yesterday at the state GOP convention at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Lingle, speaking before 500 cheering delegates and 100 guests at the convention, stressed that her aim is for direct change to government in Hawaii.

"There will be more choice for parents; one size does not fit all when it comes to public education," she said in describing how a Lingle administration would change government.

"We believe in the charter school movement because it comes from the grass roots. Twelve of the 25 charter schools are native Hawaiian schools. Why is that? Because the Hawaiian people don't think the public schools are working for their children. They want a different way for their children," she said.

Another candidate for governor addressing the convention was former GOP Chairman John Carroll and three candidates for lieutenant governor, James Aiona, Dalton Tanonaka and Cam Cavasso.

Lingle, who helped groom many of the new GOP House members two years ago, now hopes the Republicans will extend their wins to control the House with a 26-vote majority.

This year, Lingle said after her 30-minute speech yesterday, the new candidates are waiting and prepared to run, there are more open House districts, and the 19-member GOP minority was able to highlight the differences between the Republicans and Democrats.

Both new and old GOP supporters agreed that Lingle has revitalized the party.

Sharon Gibo, a 20-year party veteran, said Lingle has been able to "attract more local people" to the GOP.



Lingle said she thinks the present Democratic leadership is already worried about losing control of the state they have dominated for 40 years.

She said the actions of the Democratic majority in the Legislature showed they "are fearful of not getting re-elected."

She criticized the gas-price cap plan passed during the last minutes of the legislative session last week, noting that it doesn't go into effect for two years.

"They don't have the courage of their convictions," Lingle told reporters after her speech. "If they believed in their convictions, why not implement it now? That's what makes me believe they are scared of not getting re-elected."

The plan would allow the Public Utilities Commission to set a maximum retail price for gasoline sold in Hawaii. The action came after state investigations and lawsuits raised questions about gas prices of the major oil companies in Hawaii.

Lingle said the plan would lead to gasoline shortages, gas lines and higher gas prices.

She did not, however, have an alternative to Hawaii's high prices, saying she would like to review all the information from Hawaii's lawsuit before commenting.



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