Leaders stress Both governor-elect Linda Lingle and state legislative leaders are stressing bipartisanship in this post-election, pre-session environment.
bipartisanship
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By Pat Omandam and Crystal Kua
pomandam@starbulletin.com ckua@starbulletin.com
But there are no assurances of a smooth working relationship between Lingle's Republican administration and the Democrat-controlled Legislature, which will soon scrutinize Lingle's first state budget.
"The new governor will have to at least now contend with the Legislature, try to at least work with us. If it's a steamroll, if they try to do some things without having to try and partner or at least try to work together, then obviously we're going to have some major conflicts," said Senate President Robert Bunda (D, Wahiawa).
House Speaker Calvin Say said, "If you recall last year during the special session, we talked about being bipartisan but it didn't evolve that way. I can't really say if it's going to be like that, but from the Democratic caucus, I think it will.
"It's a question of how much, really, the opposing caucus will be contentious," said Say (D, Palolo).
Rep. Marilyn Lee (D, Mililani), majority floor leader, said the people have spoken and they want change. "I think we'll be able to work well with the executive," she said.
Lingle said her experience as Maui mayor working with a Democratic County Council will help in dealing with the Legislature.
She believes the public will not have a lot of patience for partisan politics, and to make it work, she must involve the public a lot more in her proposals to get the support of state lawmakers. "It is a bigger challenge for me, but better for the public," Lingle said.
The Senate also confirms executive nominees as department heads, board and commission members, and judges.
"No matter who we're dealing with, the Senate has always taken the position of scrutinizing nominees or candidates. Look at what we've done over the years with a Democratic governor," said Bunda, who will be the highest-ranking Democrat in state government when Lingle takes office.
The Senate's relationship with Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano was contentious at times. In particular, the Senate voted against confirming Cayetano's choices of Margery Bronster as attorney general and Earl Anzai as budget director in 1999.
"It was no slam dunk for the administration," Bunda said.
Bunda also said that if Lingle is going to ask for more time to submit her budget to the Legislature, he is not in favor of that.
"The budget has to be down at the Legislature at a certain time in January. If she wants to extend (the deadline), that's not an option for me," Bunda said. Meanwhile, Say said it is too soon to talk about reorganization in the House, while senators said that three Democratic factions are jockeying to lead the Senate.
House Minority Leader Galen Fox (R, Waikiki) said he is disappointed at the loss of four GOP incumbent seats. The drop to 15 GOP members means the minority caucus cannot recall bills held in House committees.
