Sparks fly over The only sitting member of the state Legislature who is running for lieutenant governor was taken to task by two of his Democratic opponents for an exemption state lawmakers gave themselves in a campaign spending reform measure passed this session.
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By Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com"If you're going to exempt the Legislature, then why even have the law?" asked Donna Ikeda, a former member of both the Legislature and Board of Education. "If you're going to pass something, it should apply evenly across the board."
Ikeda's comments followed state Sen. Matt Matsunaga's assessment of a bill that would have prohibited companies or people who do business with the city or state from donating to candidates for mayor or governor. Gov. Ben Cayetano vetoed the bill because of an exemption for the Legislature.
The exchange came during a live televised debate on 'Olelo Community Television between Ikeda, Matsunaga, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Clayton Hee and entertainment industry promoter Marvin Franklin.
Tonight, Republican candidates for lieutenant governor square off at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 54.
Following the Sept. 21 primary election, only one candidate from each party will move on to the general election to be the running mate for the winning gubernatorial candidate.
One of the more lively verbal exchanges came when moderator Bob Rees asked all four candidates whether campaign finance reform is needed.
"Yes, absolutely," Matsunaga said. "We had a wonderful opportunity this past legislative session. We passed a very good bill. It may have had a few flaws, but it was a good bill to try and break the connection between campaign contributions and state contracts. And, unfortunately, the governor vetoed it, but perhaps we can pick that up later."
Ikeda was quick to respond.
"Well, there's a reason why the bill was vetoed: The Legislature exempted itself from the coverage," she said.
"Well, it should apply," Matsunaga said, "but the reason why the Legislature was exempted is 'cause the Legislature doesn't award the contracts. It's the executive branch that actually awards the nonbid contracts, and I have no problem with putting the Legislature ..."
But before Matsunaga finished, Ikeda interrupted, "Let's be honest ... legislators have a way of picking up the phone, calling up and putting pressure on people to do things. That happens all the time."
She also said lawmakers should not be exempt "because by being exempt, they can profit from the very kinds of contributions that everybody else is supposed to be prohibited from receiving."
Matsunaga continued, "I guess I'm not familiar with the legislators that pick up the phone and twist arms."
Ikeda responded, "Oh, come on, Matt."
Hee then weighed in, saying that the Legislature should not be let off the hook "because if Matt is right, what's the harm with the exemption falling to the legislators? But in fact Matt is not right."
As an example, Hee pointed to a $75 million tax credit the Legislature gave to the Ko Olina developers for construction of a world-class aquarium.
"That's a way of packaging a project that has great financial implications to certain developers, and to me that must stop," Hee said.
Hee said certain lawmakers have said that they like the way the situation is now.
"But that's what I meant when I said business as usual cannot continue.
"Going along to get along must stop," he said.
State Office of Elections
