In going through your bills and the other priorities you outlined in your speech, we have a few questions that will help us as we move forward. While we understand more questions and answers will arise as we go through the legislative process, these are the top 10 questions we would like to have discussed as soon as possible.

Thanks to the high cost of motor vehicle fuel--which in Hawaii includes the second highest gasoline taxes in the country at 63.5 cents per gallon--people have started buying alternative cars and cars which get better fuel mileage. The unintended consequence of increasing the cost of motor vehicle fuel is that there is less money going into the state coffers....

I’d like to address several issues with you this morning: our mission, our caseload, our programs, and our needs that have been impacted by the economic downturn.

Republicans expect states and local governments to beg Congress for relief from their underfunded pension programs sometime soon. But unlike Congress' haphazard, expensive responses to the Wall Street and automaker crises, GOP lawmakers intend to be ready this time.

Their plan has three parts: First, a nonbinding resolution that Congress will not bail out the pension programs; second, a bill to codify that into law and require transparent public pension accounting; and finally, a managed bankruptcy bill for the states.

Last night, in his State of the Union, President Barack Obama claimed, “We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business. ... That’s how our people will prosper. That’s how we’ll win the future.” This is true. But then he went on to say: “We know what it takes to compete for the jobs and industries of our time.” No. No, he doesn’t. The rest of the President’s speech made it very clear that he has no idea what makes America the best place on earth to do business.

In this very room, the House will produce, debate, and advance a budget. Last year — in an unprecedented failure — Congress chose not to pass, or even propose a budget. The spending spree continued unchecked.

We owe you a better choice and a different vision.

...for many, the change has been painful.  I've seen it in the shuttered windows of once booming factories, and the vacant storefronts on once busy Main Streets. I've heard it in the frustrations of Americans who've seen their paychecks dwindle or their jobs disappear -- proud men and women who feel like the rules have been changed in the middle of the game. 

They're right. The rules have changed.....

The Senate Judiciary committee voted today 3 to 2 to pass the civil unions bill (SB 232) out of committee.  The bill will now move to the full Senate for a vote.  The vote in committee today was as follows:

• Senator Clayton Hee (SUPPORT)
• Senator Maile Shimabukuro (SUPPORT)
• Senator Mike Gabbard (OPPOSE)
• Senator Les Ihara, Jr. (SUPPORT)
• Senator Sam Slom (OPPOSE)

Introduced by Sen. Wil Espero (D) on January 21, 2011, to require the Department of Public Safety to establish a pilot program on Oahu that electronically monitors committed persons who are permitted to live and work in the community, in lieu of continued incarceration; and to appropriate funds.

Hawaii scores high in categories which measure money spent and low in categories showing the results of those expenditures.  Notably Hawaii scores 6th in “Net Formation of High-Tech Establishments per 10,000 Business Establishments 2002”—this reflects the large number of fake “hi-tech” companies being formed to sop up ACT 215/221 tax credits.

Justice Alito's most "Hawaii-centric" opinion was in Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 129 S. Ct. 1436 (2009), where he authored the opinion for a unanimous Court. In that case, the Court held that the United States held "absolute fee simple" title to Hawaii's ceded lands, and that Congress' 1992 Apology Resolution had no legal effect.

Judge McKenna, 53, has been serving in First Circuit Court since 1995 and currently serves as the Senior Judge of the Family Court.

While Hawaii reported total assets of $19.6 billion, the Institute’s review of the state’s 2009 financial report revealed that there are $11.9 billion of off-balance sheet retirement liabilities. More than $15.6 billion of the State’s assets cannot be easily converted to cash to pay State bills of $22.2 billion as they come due. These assets consist of capital assets, including infrastructure, buildings and land, and assets the use of which is restricted by law or contract. The State does not have the funds needed to pay for almost $18.2 billion of state obligations.

Dr. Ahu Isa, an assistant professor at Hawaii Pacific University and former state representative, decided to resign to allow Governor Neil Abercrombie to fill her vacancy by making his first Board appointment. Last year, voters approved a constitutional amendment that ended Board elections and gave the governor the authority to appoint members. The state Legislature is crafting a new law specifying the appointment process.

If our legislators no longer pray inside the state capitol, then we citizens need to pray in their stead every day that they are in session, preferably on the steps of that building. When election time comes around again, let us all remember who among them thinks we no longer need God in our government. 

This is only President Barack Obama's second State of the Union, but his failed economic agenda has already forced him into early reruns. After more than $800 billion in Keynesian economic stimulus spending, our nation is still mired in a post World War II record 20th consecutive month of near double digit unemployment. Our national deficit stands at $14.06 trillion and we may hit the $14.29 trillion debt ceiling as early as this spring. Our country desperately needs a change direction, but that is not what we will get tonight.

The Governor wants to create taxes for soda, beer and retirement income, he wants to cut funding to Medicare, social services, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and let Aloha Stadium fall apart, just so public sector unions do not have to face furloughs ....

Governor Abercrombie referred to Hawaii as an “under-resourced and often dysfunctional democracy”. In the coming days the Grassroot Institute will release a report we call “The Real State of the State” detailing how the state government is far from under-resourced and extremely inefficient in its use of those resources.

Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act - Vote Passed (245-189, 1 Not Voting)

The House voted to repeal the 2010 health care law. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has vowed to block the bill in the Senate.

Rep. Marumoto wants to keep passengers of all ages from riding in pickup truck beds (HB 15).  Several years ago she was successful in restricting those under 13 from riding in truck beds.  This year she will once again attempt to extend that ban to Oahu riders (counties over 300,000 population). 

• I will be filing a bill to modernize the terms of our employee retirement system....
• I am proposing that we end the current practice of state funded reimbursement for federal Medicare Part B benefits for Hawaii government employees.
• The other fix is to implement the recommendation of the Tax Review Commission to treat pension income like all other income for tax purposes....
• I am proposing what is an overdue increase in the alcohol tax and will also propose a fee on soda and similar drinks.
• ...bringing the impact fees paid by the increasing number of timeshare occupants into alignment with hotel room occupants who pay the transient accommodations tax.
• I will also reallocate funds from the Hawaii Tourism Authority to basic government services such as environmental protection, improvements to public facilities, and advancing culture and the arts. The amount we are spending in the name of marketing Hawaii has grown disproportionate to the amount we need to spend on Hawaii’s own infrastructure....

The first-ever National School Choice Week is underway! This week, January 23rd - 29th, school choice advocates from across the country will host events and highlight the benefits of educational freedom.  More than 150 organizations are hosting events in nearly every state.

The State of Hawaii reported liabilities of only $10.2 billion. IFTA’s detailed analysis discovered that retirement liabilities of $11.9 billion were unreported by the State. When these liabilities are included, the State’s bills total $22.1 billion.

“There must be transparency in government so people know that their economic interests are being represented, not just the interests of a powerful few.” -- Neil Abercrombie, “A New Day in Hawaii”

He did it.  Neil Abercrombie has finally made birtherism mainstream. 

A multitude of special funds (see list below) are slated to be on the chopping block with the introduction yesterday of Hawaii Senate Bill SB120, to repeal certain special funds and transfer balances to the state general fund.

SB 232 Relating to Civil Unions: Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee January 25, 2011 (Tuesday) @ 10:00 a.m. in room #016

Speaker of the House Calvin Say today announced the House of Representatives leadership team and the Committee chairmanships for the 26th Legislature.

Alexander will be the lead person on Governor Abercrombie’s efforts to end homelessness. Alexander will work with state and federal agencies, community programs and foundations, and the business community to find opportunities and solutions to address homelessness collaboratively.

Rep Rida Cabanilla last October told the audience at a candidates’ forum: “You ride the rail so I can drive my car.”  

In DC, 106 miles of subways have been built--how do the regal V-8 carriages of Cabanilla's DC bretheren fare now that the the peasants have been removed from underfoot? 

Today marks a very critical juncture in our state’s history.  We have a $800 million state deficit to fill, jobs to create, and an economy to turn around and a new system of educational governance to establish.   It is going to be a busy and intense session, but I am confident, optimistic and quite positive – if we work together, it will be a very good session.

“Now that the House has organized and the official start of the legislative session has begun it is imperative that District 45 have representation,” said Governor Abercrombie. 

“The Spending Reduction Act gives us a $2.5 trillion head start in the race to preserve the fiscal stability of the United States,” said Garrett.  “This bill represents the first step in the process, not the last.  To achieve long-term fiscal stability, we must finish the race by making the tough decisions Congress has put off for far too long.  Only after we tear down barriers to job creation and make reforms to our entitlement programs can we truly resolve our debt crisis.”

Many will tell you that yesterday’s bipartisan vote of 245 to 189 was an exercise in futility—an empty, symbolic measure. Liberals in Congress, the White House and their echo chamber in the media all insist, as NPR has duly reported, that "this measure will go no further."

Don’t believe this for a single minute. The vote last night was an important step in the democratic process of protecting and conserving our constitutional freedoms.

Hawaii's law still needs significant improvement in several areas, including completely removing its caps, strengthening the requirements for both charter application, review and decision-making processes and renewal, non-renewal, and revocation processes, and ensuring equitable operational and categorical funding and equitable access to capital funding and facilities.

Honolulu – Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced that applications are being accepted for service on the numerous boards and commissions – including the Board of Education – via his website....

Hawaii GOP Chair Jonah Kaauwai release a statement on Rep. Colleen Hanabusa's announcement that she was unable to secure the Hawaii seat on the House Appropriations Committee that her campaign had promised.

...The Grassroot Institute applauds the House Minority Caucus for including fiscal note legislation in its 2011 legislative package....

Gov Abercrombie yesterday re-opened his mouth and spoke of his Holy Crusade against the Diabolical Birthers.  And lo and behold, the birthers are thrilled at the support they are receiving from Washington Place.  Here’s how Babblecrombie stirred them up…again....

As its first major act, the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives voted today on a bill promising the complete repeal of Obamacare. The bill passed with a unanimous Republican vote along with the support of 3 House Democrats, proving that the demand to repeal Obamacare is a real, bipartisan fight that will lead to a serious debate in the Senate.

This debunked HHS report was recycled as Hawaii Democrat talking points, and shoveled onto the pages of the Star-Advertiser this morning >>> Democrats warn of harm if health care reform is repealed

It didn't work, The US House today passed HR2 to repeal Obamacare 245-189 with unanimous GOP support plus three Democrats.  But the study will be kept on hand in order to manufacture future campaign commercials.

The residents of the State of Hawai`i have called on the House Republican caucus (HRC) to ensure their taxes are not raised, control government spending, maintain fiscal discipline, increase government accountability, reduce the size and scope of government, stimulate and accelerate student learning and create an economic environment that will help local businesses thrive, create jobs and attract international investments.

Some people have referred to me as "The Lone Ranger" because throughout the entire United States I am the only single party Senator in a State Legislature.

Hawaii is the only state which does not mandate “fiscal notes” be attached to legislation introduced in the House or Senate.   Without Fiscal Notes, Legislators are just guessing....

It is my understanding that there is a move in Honolulu to introduce IRV/RCV (ranked choice voting). I would suggest the Council not adopt IRV elections as it does not have the results intended. It will not result in a majority victor. There are many problems with ranked choice voting. At one time, I was a supporter of ranked choice voting but no more.

I was born and raised on the Island and still have many relatives on the Island. As someone from Honolulu, I would not want to subject them to instant runoff voting.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood at the Lincoln Memorial and admonished America to return to its First Principles. In his I Have a Dream Speech, he announced his dream that “one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'” He longed to see a day when all “would be guaranteed the ‘unalienable Rights’ of ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’" Dr. King did not talk about remaking America. His dream was one which, in his words, was “deeply rooted in the American dream.” It hearkened back to the principles upon which our country was founded. It was not a rejection of our past, but a vision of hope based on the principles of our past.

The Hawaii session convenes this coming Wednesday, January 19th, 2011.  The change of policy is part of a new rules package the Senate will consider for the opening session. 

Senate President Shan Tsutsui (D, Kahului) will recommend that the Senate end the tradition of invocations based on the ACLU complaint.