Duke Solid, Focused, and Specific 

From www.AionaFinnegan.com

HONOLULU - Travis Taylor, communications director of the Aiona-Finnegan Campaign, today issued the following statement regarding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs gubernatorial debate between Duke Aiona and his opponent.

"Once again, Duke Aiona was solid, focused and provided specific solutions to the issues facing Native Hawaiians and all working families in Hawai‘i.

"Our opponent, on the other hand, was unable to detail how he would pay for his book of promises, continuing to rely only on dwindling federal deficit-financed dollars. This is a risky proposition for our state.

"Duke Aiona and Lynn Finnegan are the only candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who will bring balance, integrity and fiscal responsibility to state government.

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Democrat Senate failed to pass Akaka Bill

From www.AionaFinnegan.com

The Aiona-Finnegan campaign is setting the record straight on false statements made by our opponent at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs gubernatorial debate.

MYTH:

Our opponent said that the failure of Congress to pass the Akaka Bill was the fault of Republican Senators.

FACT:

Our opponent didn't explain the fact that the 2009-10 Democrat Senate - part of the time with a super majority - has not only failed to pass the Akaka Bill, but has also failed to even bring it to the floor for a vote.

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Federal funds used for education

MYTH

Our opponent said that federal funds were not used to address school furloughs.

FACT

The state received $192 million in federal ARRA funds. We received the initial $105 million in July 2009, and the balance was received in September 2010. Every dollar was applied to education.

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State aggressively pursuing federal funds

MYTH

The state has been lax in competing for federal funds.

FACT

Hawai‘i's aggressive pursuit of federal funds includes $1.4 billion in ARRA funding and $75 million in recently awarded Race to the Top funding for education reform. The state also tapped federal funds for hospitals that were not drawn down by previous Administrations, and the state pursued and received previously untapped funds for Medicaid through federal revenue maximization programs.

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