GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Gathering during a recess at yesterday's finale of the Legislature were Reps. Angus McKelvey, left, K. Mark Takai, Cynthia Thielen, Calvin Say, Gene Ward, Michael Magaoay, Marcus Oshiro and John Mizuno. CLICK FOR LARGE

Nominees nixed, surplus spent

Public employees get raises, Lingle's picks get rejected

» Young, White and unwanted

» Squabbles spell survival for a veto

» Tax refund, aerospace, ethanol top '07 session

The state Senate's rejection of two Lingle administration Cabinet members, Iwalani White, public safety director, and Peter Young, land and natural resources director, captured the most attention for the 60-day session that ended yesterday.

» The $700 million, two-year budget surplus was largely spent. The bulk of the money went to increased human service assistance, Medicaid payments, and repairs and maintenance of public schools.

» Low- and moderate-income taxpayers will get tax credits and a one-time rebate. Also, a gasoline tax break of 10 cents per gallon was restored.

» Pay raises for public employees ranging between 4 percent and 5 percent per year were approved.

» Fines for jaywalking and driving into an occupied crosswalk were increased after the number of pedestrian fatalities soared.