Message to Supporters from Aiona Campaign      September 26, 2014

Last night's debate on PBS Insights included four gubernatorial candidates including Duke Aiona.

Duke was prepared to stood firm on his vision to make Hawai‘i a better place for YOU by lowering the cost of living and encouraging affordable housing in Kaka‘ako.

During key moments of the debate, Duke asked each candidate about their positions on issues, particularly their history of raising taxes.

David Ige presented himself as an agent of change, but was one of the top-ranking legislators in charge of implementing the policies that have seen Hawai‘i burdened with bigger bills and higher taxes.

In fact, Senator Ige's record on these issues puts him at odds with Hawai‘i voters seeking a lower cost of living:

General Excise Tax

Senator Ige supported a 25% hike in the general excise tax in his committee in 2011,only to be met with a revolt from his own party. The general excise tax would affect nearly every single family in Hawai‘i and would certainly make a high cost of living worse. (HB 793)

Pension Tax

Senator Ige introduced a bill that taxes pensions, hurting the elderly and the retired.Tonight, when pressed on why he would ever even consider such a bill, Ige did his best to dodge by saying it was something he did not support. But the fact remains that he took the initiative to introduce it in 2003. (SB438)

Soda Tax

Despite the shocking costs at the grocery store, Senator Ige even introduced a bill to tax soda and juices in 2011. Clearly Senator Ige doesn't understand that Hawaii voters are demanding measures to lower the cost of living, not increase it further. (SB1179)

Bottom line: Duke continued to offer solutions while David Ige mislead voters by trying to claim the title of change agent and failing to mention his record of making it harder to afford to live in our beautiful state.

Mahalo!

Friends Of Duke Aiona!

PS: Watch the debate in it's entirety here

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FACT CHECK: David Ige Is Not An Agent For Change At All

Longtime Legislator Consistently Supported Higher Taxes On Hawaii Families Alongside Governor Abercrombie

HONOLULU (September 26, 2014) - During last night's PBS Hawaii Insights gubernatorial debate, Senator David Ige astonishingly claimed that he is "probably the biggest change agent at the table." This could not be further from the truth, especially to overtaxed middle-class families in Hawaii struggling with the high cost of living. In the past four years, Senator Ige voted for and Governor Abercrombie signed into law over $833 million in tax hikes, and the results for Hawaii have been disastrous.

"Senator Ige and Governor Abercrombie piled $833 million in tax hikes on Hawaii families and small businesses over the past four years, even raising taxes on everyone who owns a car. With the Aloha State ranked with the highest cost of living and one of the most overtaxed middle classes after their tenure, Senator Ige cannot claim those same policies will bring the change Hawaii voters need." --Ted Kwong, Hawaii Republican Party Communications Advisor

BACKGROUND:

"I'm probably the biggest change agent at the table." (Senator David Ige, PBS Hawaii Insights Gubernatorial Debate, 9/25/14)

BUT DURING THEIR PRIMARY, THERE WERE FEW POLICY DIFFERENCES

The Primary Highlighted That There Were “Few Major Policy Differences” Between Ige And Abercrombie. “The gubernatorial debate was brought to the Big Island on Wednesday as Gov. Neil Abercrombie squared off against challenger state Sen. David Ige in Waimea. With few major policy differences, both sought to make the case for their leadership abilities and knowledge of neighbor island needs.” (Tom Callis, “Abercrombie, Ige Hold First Big Island Debate,” Hawaii Tribune-Herald, 7/24/14)

"But the primary rivals are split more on who's to blame for Hawaii's issues than they are on how to solve those problems.” (“Abercrombie, Ige Debate Blame For Hawaii's Issues,” Associated Press, 6/24/14)

“A debate between Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige on Tuesday revealed few major differences in their visions of Hawaii's future. Both Democratic candidates want to solve Hawaii's housing problems, support Native Hawaiian sovereignty and improve the state's troubled health exchange. They also both want to keep gambling out of Hawaii and improve its public education system.”(“Abercrombie, Ige Debate Blame For Hawaii's Issues,” Associated Press, 6/24/14)

University Of Hawaii’s Colin Moore Said Ige Struggled “To Articulate A Different Vision From Gov. Abercrombie.” “‘Gov. Abercrombie was trying to show that he was calm and confident and in charge, and of course Sen. Ige kept saying the same thing he's been saying throughout the campaign, which is that his administration lacks leadership,’ said University of Hawaii political science professor Colin Moore. Ige used the phrase ‘lack of leadership’ several times during the debate. We asked Moore if the strategy works. ‘He clearly thinks its going to work. And I think the challenge for him in this debate, one that perhaps he really didn't meet this time was to articulate a different vision from Gov. Abercrombie,’ said Moore.” (Ben Gutierrez, “Abercrombie, Ige Spar In Final Televised Debate On Hawaii News Now,”HawaiiNewsNow, 7/9/14)

THE POLICIES THEY SHARED?

Senator Ige Voted For And Governor Abercrombie Signed Over $833 Million Of Tax Increases Into Law Since 2011. (Jorge Martin and Max Velthoven, "Tax Increases Enacted by Democrat Governors Since 2011," Americans for Tax Reform, 5/9/14)

Governor Abercrombie Signed A Hike In The Vehicle Registration Fee From $25 To $45 On June 23, 2011. Senator Ige Voted YES. (SB1328, Hawaii Votes, 3/8/11)

Governor Abercrombie Signed A Bill That Doubled The Vehicle Weight Tax On June 9, 2011. Senator Ige Voted YES. (SB1329, Hawaii Votes, 3/8/11)

Governor Abercrombie Signed A Bill That Removed General Excise Tax Exemptions For Certain Businesses On June 14, 2011. Senator Ige Voted YES. (SB754, Hawaii Votes, 3/8/11)

Governor Abercrombie Signed A Bill That More Than Doubled The Rental Car Fee On June 14, 2011. Senator Ige Voted YES. (HB1039, Hawaii Votes, 4/12/11)

Governor Abercrombie Signed A Bill To Eliminate The Deduction For State Income Taxes For Upper Brackets On June 14, 2011. Senator Ige Voted YES. (SB570, Hawaii Votes, 3/8/11)

THE RESULTS FOR HAWAII?

A Recent Study Shows Hawaii Has The Second Worst Tax System Overall And The Third Most Overtaxed Middle Class. "Hawaii's middle class are the third-most overtaxed in the U.S., and the 20 percent of residents with the lowest incomes are the fourth-most over-taxed, making Hawaii's tax system second-worst in the U.S." (Erika Engle, "Hawaii's tax system the second-worst in U.S.," Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9/15/14)

A Recent Report Ranks Hawaii As The Worst State To Make A Living In 2014. “At the other end of the spectrum–and a different corner of the map–Hawaii ranks as the worst place to make a living in 2014, due to a cost of living that stands at 157% the national average and a poor work environment score.” (Kathryn Dill, “The Best And Worst States To Make A Living In 2014,” Forbes, 6/9/14)

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Democrat David Ige’s Smart, Strong Leadership Style Shines On PBS Hawaii’s Insights Roundtable

News Release from Ige Campaign

Honolulu, HI  (September 25, 2014)  Democratic gubernatorial candidate Senator David Ige showed poise and leadership in addressing the difficult issues that face our state. From addressing the issues surrounding Hawaii’s Health Systems Corporation, development in Kaka`ako and leadership at the University of Hawaii, Ige comfortably articulated his positions on each topic. Democrat Senator Ige’s direct answers exemplify his proven track record of being a strong, honest leader.

At tonight’s forum, Democrat David Ige highlighted his record of authoring the first public charter school law and passing the first public school reform bill in his efforts to provide children with the best education available. He also talked about his early efforts to support the economy by bringing the first venture capital program to Hawaii and supporting the consumer through auto insurance reform.

Ige has spent 29 years in the Legislature bringing both legislators and constituents together, leading them to consensus on difficult problems. As Governor, he will continue his record of bringing people and communities together to create a stronger Hawaii.

As the son of a steelworker father and nurse mother, David Ige, with his five brothers, learned a strong work ethic and the struggles to make ends meet. His decisions and leadership are based on these experiences, as he is a strong advocate for the working class and creating meaningful job opportunities in Hawaii.

The Democratic ticket of Ige-Tsutsui is the team running for office for the right reasons with the right priorities for positive change.

Democrat Senator Ige has agreed to 11 more debates and forums to give the public many opportunities to hear his positions. Please visit www.DavidIge.org/calendar for the campaign event schedule.