THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO ANNOUNCE NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Press conference to be held at 11:30AM Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Hawaii State Capitol, Room 433
HONOLULU - To avoid months of political posturing and delay that held up legislative work after the 2010 election, Democrats and Republicans joined together to form a coalition to organize the House and get right to work. Speaker Joe Souki (D-Wailuku) and Minority Leader Aaron Ling Johanson (R-Moanalua) have pledged to begin work immediate!!!y.
"There's much work to do before the legislature begins and we could delay no longer. We decided to put politics aside and came together to start working on the many challenges facing all of Hawaii," said Minority Leader Johanson.
"We are happy to have reached this agreement. This will allow us to focus our attention on the issues and begin preparations for the 2013 session," said Speaker Souki.
---30---
CB: Souki has garnered 28 votes, two more than necessary. His supporters are said to include Democrat dissidents as well as House Republicans. There are 44 Democrats and seven Republicans in the 51-member body…. That means Calvin Say’s 13-year run as speaker — the longest since statehood — has come to an end.
MN: Souki and Minority Leader Aaron Ling Johanson "have pledged to begin work immediately."
MN: Leaders of the Sierra Club express excitement
SA: Several dissidents have said privately that Souki is not a long-term option as speaker…Rep. Chris Lee (D, Kailua-Lanikai-Waimanalo), one of the dissidents, said dissidents wanted to avoid a delay in preparing for the session like the last leadership fight caused two years ago. "It's important that we get right to work," he said.
SA: Souki, a former speaker, negotiated the deal with House Minority Leader Aaron Johanson, sources told the Star-Advertiser. Sources say Republicans could receive the vice chairmanships of three committees — including the House Finance Committee, which could have a Republican and a Democratic vice chairman — under the agreement.
Nov 14: PLDC Hot Potato: Democrats Ask Sam Slom to Serve as Dela Cruz’ Committee Vice Chair
1998: Consultin’ has been good to Souki (Broken Trust)
Satire: www.JoeSouki.org