[ STATE HOUSE ]
21
Kaimuki-Waikiki
Mindy Jaffe
RepublicanAge: 52 Job: State representative Past: Jazzercise Inc.; Republicans for Environmental Protection
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
As a small-business owner for 25 years, I bring a great deal of life experience to the job and a broad understanding of how the world works. I have lived in my district for 11 years and have participated extensively in community issues, activities and projects.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Eliminate the DOE's centralized bureaucracy in favor of local control, with responsibility, authority and funding powered down to local school districts run by locally elected boards. Eliminate DAGS and allow schools to contract their own maintenance, repairs and other services. When layers of administration are removed, the money is freed up ...
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Create a more business-friendly state by reducing the tax and regulatory burden on business, offering tax credits and other incentives for investment, construction, and other private enterprise, especially in high-tech, biotech and diversified agriculture, where Hawaii has natural advantages.
Scott Nishimoto
DemocratAge: 28 Job: Received law degree Past: Former staff assistant, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
My legal education and commitment to serving the people of Hawaii, my experience as a staff assistant for Sen. Inouye in Washington, D.C., interning in Hawaii's House of Representatives and as student body president at the University of Hawaii will help me be an effective advocate for my community.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Provide adequate funding so students can read, write and do math. Require that teachers, administrators and students be accountable using measurable performance indicators. Increase parent involvement and communication between parent and school. Facilitate repair, maintenance and construction of classrooms.
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
By supporting existing businesses, because 80 percent of all new jobs are created by existing businesses. We also need to diversify the economic base of the state, trim government expenditures wherever prudent, and decrease business regulations.
