The Aiona-Finnegan campaign is setting the record straight on false statements made by our opponent during PBS Hawai‘i's live broadcast of Island Insights.
Appointed BOE step in right direction
MYTH
Our opponent stated that the Lingle-Aiona Administration did not provide the legislative vehicle to for an appointed Board of Education.
FACT
Governor Lingle and Duke Aiona support the Constitutional Amendment for an appointed Board of Education. Duke Aiona, as Governor, will work with the State Legislature to set up an open and transparent process for selecting BOE members, if approved by voters. Governor Lingle vetoed the bill passed by the 2010 Legislature because HB2377 amended the Board of Education composition and member selection process in a manner that may not have ensured the Board would be composed of members who reflect the best interests of the public and who understand the role of setting public education policies.
Our opponent finally admitted that he does not support an appointed Board of Education, which would be a step in the right direction to improve education in Hawai‘i.
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Bipartisan support for appointed BOE
MYTH
Our opponent admitted that he does not support an appointed Board of Education, stating that it would not make a difference.
FACT
Duke Aiona, Governor Lingle and each of Hawai'i’s past living Governors - Governor Ariyoshi, Governor Waihee and Governor Cayetano - have voiced support for an appointed Board of Education. This bipartisan support for an appointed Board of Education shows that those who have been held responsible for education in Hawai‘i believe it would be a step in the right direction to improve accountability in our education system.
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No full audit of DOE since 1973
MYTH
Our opponent said DOE has been audited again and again and again.
FACT
The DOE has not had a comprehensive management audit for nearly 40 years - since 1973. Duke Aiona is seeking a comprehensive, independent management and financial audit to determine whether education funding, which takes 41 percent of the state general fund budget, is being spent effectively and efficiently.
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Businesses create jobs, not government
MYTH
Our opponent says government creates jobs.
FACT
In our opponent’s plan, he only proposes the creation of more government jobs, thereby expanding the size and scope of government in Hawai‘i. In addition, he again fails to explain how he would pay for these new government jobs.
Duke Aiona’s plan is for government to facilitate and incentivize job creation in the private sector, especially for small businesses.
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22 new positions for energy
MYTH
Our opponent said that not including new positions for energy in the Governor's budget shows a lack of focus on energy.
FACT
The state filled 22 new positions for energy over the past fiscal year. No new positions will be required, and none will be asked for. The state is positioned to live within its means.
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Balanced government an effective model
MYTH
Our opponent stated that the Lingle-Aiona Administration has seen “gridlock” when it comes to its relationships with the State Legislature.
FACT
The Lingle-Aiona Administration successfully collaborated with the Legislature to pass 48 percent of its legislative initiatives in the 2010 session - more than the majority party.
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State received $145 million for charity care
MYTH
Our opponent says the state has missed out on Medicaid reimbursement money.
FACT
In July 2010, the state distributed more than $8.1 million in new federal funding to 16 private hospitals statewide to help defray the cost of providing charity care to uninsured and under-insured patients. With these funds, private hospitals have received $39 million in federal and matching state funds since 2007. Private and public hospitals have also received nearly $84 million in federal-only funds since 2005 through a waiver the DHS Director Lillian Koller obtained from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Additionally, for public hospitals, DHS provided HHSC with $21.9 million in supplemental funding last year.This brings the total to $145 million in federal and state support for charity care at hospitals over the past five years under the Lingle-Aiona Administration.
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Over $2 billion in capital improvement projects
MYTH
Our opponent said the Lingle-Aiona Administration failed to issue $1 billion in appropriated CIP funds.
FACT
The Lingle-Aiona Administration put out over $2 billion in capital improvement projects in the past 22 months. We are actually spending $960 million per year in construction projects over the past three years.
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