Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
- Hawaii State Capitol Yearbook 2009
- Representative Isaac Choy
- Representative Henry J.C. Aquino
- Representative Lyla B. Berg
- Governor Linda Lingle
- Representative Cindy Evans
- Senator Les Ihara, Jr.
- Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
- Representative Gilbert Keith-Agaran
- Representative Joey Manahan
- Representative Chris Lee
- Representative Barbara C. Marumoto
- Representative Mark M. Nakashima
- Representative John M. Mizuno
- Representative Marcus R. Oshiro
- Senator Brian T. Taniguchi
- Senator J. Kalani English
- Representative Jessica Wooley
- Representative Gene Ward
- Senator Norman Sakamoto
- Representative Cynthia Thielen
- Senator Fred Hemmings
- Representative Karl Rhoads
- Senator Colleen Hanabusa
- Senator Josh Green
- Representative Roy M. Takumi
- Senator Will Espero
Statement from the Lt. Governor
Our Administration entered the 2009 Legislative Session with a bold agenda to increase our self-sufficiency, protect our natural resources and diversify our economy, but partisan politics reared its ugly head, killing many important proposals and leaving the people of Hawaii with another year of missed opportunities.
Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of all during the legislative session was a reinvigorated public. Tens of thousands of our residents rallied at the state capitol to speak out on important issues and shape policy.
Chants of “no new taxes” and other passionate pleas could be heard reverberating throughout the capitol’s halls and meeting rooms. Radio calls, letters-to-the-editor, public testimony, emails and blog comments overflowed with active and engaged residents who used all of the channels available to make their voices heard.
Unfortunately, on the big issues, the Legislature was not listening. They passed three measures to increase taxes on our residents, small businesses and visitors, even going as far as overriding Governor Lingle’s vetoes to force private citizens and small businesses to pay more than their fair share to balance the budget.
Some legislators said tax increases were necessary, but the truth is that the 2009 Legislature was unwilling to work with our Administration to maintain a balanced budget without raising taxes, sending workers to the unemployment line and cutting programs and services.
Hawaii’s voters should not be surprised. Seemingly year after year the ability to come together to solve the biggest problems of our time has eluded this Legislature. The answers are not likely to come soon, as many legislators will seek to avoid engaging in tough issues during an election year.
As a voter, your opportunity will come to change politics-as-usual. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, the tables will be turned and the voters will have the floor. That is when we can achieve some semblance of balance in Hawaii.
