Democrats unlikely to contest any vetoes

Isle lawmakers are waiting to hear from the public

There appears to be little support among Democratic legislators to override vetoes of bills by Gov. Linda Lingle.

While some House and Senate Democrats say they might return to override a veto, there has not been a strong public call to reject Lingle's vetoes.

"We need to fix some things, but there is nothing earthshaking," said Sen. Donna Kim, Senate vice president.

Kim (D, Kalihi Valley-Halawa) was one of a group of nine senators who met informally several weeks ago to discuss the possibility of returning to override any gubernatorial vetoes, according to Sen. Clayton Hee.

"Nine of us were willing to come back, we just needed four more (13 votes is a majority in the Senate).

"The question is whether the president (Sen. Robert Bunda) is inclined to convene a leadership caucus," Hee said.

"My sense is the Senate would be more than willing to call itself back," Hee (D, Kahuku-Kaneohe) said.

Bunda, traveling on the mainland, declined to comment, although yesterday he said the 10 days before the Legislature would have to return to override any vetoes should be used by the public to let lawmakers know how they feel.

Vetoes, however, must be overridden by a two-thirds vote and there were no assurances that 17 senators would agree on a veto to be overridden. Lingle announced that she might veto 28 bills.

Also, the veto must be overridden in both the House and Senate and there were indications yesterday that the House didn't have a strong sense of urgency to return for a special session next month.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, majority leader, said the House is still reviewing the 28 vetoes.

"Historically, during an election year, it is more difficult to call people back into session. You can say we are still waiting to hear from the public," Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho) said.

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua), majority leader, said she didn't think "there is a sense of urgency to come back."

"Now the public has an opportunity ... So far we have not heard a rallying cry to come back," Hanabusa said.

So far, Hee says he is willing to lead the charge to overturn potential vetoes.

Lingle says she is contemplating vetoing bills that would forbid the sale of the small shellfish opihi and another bill to make the sandbar in Kaneohe a state monument.

"There are no opihi on the rocks. We have a problem. The people are raping the ocean," Hee said.