SBH Sunrise
June 28, 2007
Lowell Kalapa

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Governor Has Until July 10
to Decide on Fate of Bills

The 24th State Legislature adjourned on May 3, 2007, but lawmakers may be back in Special Session July 10 or 11.

If the Democrat majority party calls for a special session it will be for one primary purpose: to override more of Republican Governor Linda Lingle's vetoes.

Over 200 bills passed in the last two days of the Session; a total of 328 bills during the 2007 Session. As of May 31, the Governor had signed or let go through more than 100 bills into law. She has until July 10 to decide on the remaining measures.

For more updated specifics on legislation, go to the state website at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

In the last two days of the regular session, the majority party also overrode 8 vetoes that its members targeted. Most were labor-related bills or measures that take power away from the executive branch and transfer it to the state Legislature.

Unionized public worker salary increases, a $20 billion budget, more public education spending without accountability for that money, environmental and agricultural money bills also without accountability, and Senate confirmations (and denials of those appointees) of the Governor's cabinet members, drove the 2007 Session.

Small Business Hawaii members gave the session an "F" because no meaningful taxpayer relief or business reform measures were passed.

Even though it is not yet 2008, the 2008 election campaign is well underway.

The governor has pledged to get more Republicans in office so she can get more of her bills passed and prevent her vetoes from being overridden. Democrats already are talking about how to take more seats from Republicans who currently hold just 13 of 76 positions.

Rep. Josh Green (D-Kona) announced he will challenge Republican state Senator Paul Whalen (R-Kona) next year.

Rep. Alex Sonson (D- Pearl City, Waipahu) said he wants Senator Clarence Nishiharaıs District in Waipahu and will face off in the Democrat Party primary.

Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D- Hilo to Waimea, is a former Mayor of Hawaii County. She purportedly wants to seek that office again next year after the current Mayor, Harry Kim's, is term limited.

If Inouye does run, Rep. Dwight Takamine (D-Hamakua) and Republican attorney Ted Hong are expected to battle for the seat.

In 2008, all 51 House seats and 13 of 25 Senate seats are up for election. So is the question of whether to hold a new Constitutional Convention ‹ the first since 1978 ‹ on the ballot. Watch for more announcements soon ‹ mirroring the national elections.

PAYCHECKS HAWAII RATES 2007 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE

The HPU SIFE team returned from Dallas, Texas as first runner up in their league at the National Convention of Students in Free Enterprise, earning a trophy and $1000 in prize money. Ken Schoolland is a longtime member of Small Business Hawaii and has led several teams to SIFE events. He is the author of the award-winning "Jonathan Gullible."