Lingle urges her aides
to know before they speak

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By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com

A directive from Gov. Linda Lingle's policy team instructs high-ranking state officials not to comment on departmental positions on issues and bills unless they know what her position is.

Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said the directive raises concerns about openness in government.

Randy Roth, senior policy adviser to the governor, said the directive was one of many "to make sure everyone was on the same page" when it came to the administration's position on legislative bills and issues.

The officials, including agency heads and legislative coordinators, received an e-mail on Jan. 24 that read in part: "Unless you know what the governor's position is, you should simply say that the department does not have a position on that issue or bill. If pressed for more, you should say that you will look into the matter."

"I think it goes against the nature of open government," Akiba said. "That's the benefit of having an executive branch where you have trained professionals ... that utilizes its resources, rather than micromanaging from the fifth floor. If she's telling them, 'Don't take a position,' that's crippling the business of government."

Roth countered Akiba's criticism by saying the governor, a former journalist, believes strongly in open government.

Roth explained that many in the departments, including newly appointed directors, had asked the governor's policy group, which he heads, how they ought to respond to questions concerning legislative bills or issues.

"If there's any doubt by the director as to what the governor's thinking is on an issue, that director is encouraged to contact us so we can facilitate further communication," he said.

Roth drew a distinction between questions of fact and matters of policy. Only in matters of policy, he said, must they make sure that before they speak, they accurately reflect the administration's position.

"The governor doesn't tell directors what to do," Roth said. "She appoints directors she has confidence in. Once they're on board for a long enough time and get to know the department and the issues, she expects information to flow upward."

Scott Foster, a board member of Common Cause Hawaii, speaking on his own, agreed with Roth: "They are all new directors. To just keep them from causing problems ... it would be better to not have them take a position unless they knew what the governor's position was. Having been in the Governor's Office, I understand it perfectly."

Akiba acknowledged that the administration is new, but, she said, "Gov. Lingle needs to get up to speed here."

"Without the departments being able to provide the Legislature with specific information, how can laws be passed without informed decision-making?" she asked.