Dear Neighbor,

I’d like to thank the many who took time to respond to our 2010 Legislative Survey. As we have in the past, we enjoyed a response percentage rate in the double digits. Results of the survey are at the bottom of this page.

This Legislative Session, we faced the most difficult challenges in recent memory: A $1.2 billion budget deficit on top of last year’s $2 billion shortfall; a severely sagging economy; and the Board and Department of Education’s, HSTA’s (the teacher’s union) and the Administration’s misguided approval of two years of “Furlough Fridays” for our public school students.

Because of the State’s dire financial straits, new government funded programs were out of the question. The challenge became how to keep important and well-functioning programs in place, and how to more efficiently provide services while simultaneously cutting costs.

Tax relief was non-existent. Certain tax exemptions were eliminated through Senate Bill 2402. Unwisely, a Senate bill suspended high technology business investment tax credits, reversing credits legislated through Act 221. This retroactive application of the bill will undoubtedly be the subject of lawsuits filed against the State.

On a more positive note, we were able to ensure that “Furlough Fridays” will never happen again, by passing legislation which mandates 180 instructional days per year for public schools next year, and more days in ensuing years. This brings Hawaii into conformity with most other public school systems across the nation. To eliminate next year’s remaining furlough days for public schools, we authorized the use of less than one-third of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. I argued hard for this to be a “loan,” and will continue to advocate for replenishment of monies taken from this important fund.

By tapping 39 percent of the Rainy Day Fund, we maintained a viable level of funding for health and human services programs, including, but not limited to: kupuna care services, mental health services, healthcare for the uninsured, substance abuse prevention and treatment, children’s health care program, domestic violence shelters, and Medicaid. We were able to restore most of the agricultural inspector positions. These inspectors are the front line in Hawaii’s continuing battle to prevent invasive species from negatively impacting our state’s ecosystems and agricultural industry.

Perhaps most importantly, voters this November will have a major voice in the future of Hawaii’s public education system. A ballot initiative will allow voters to determine how members of Hawaii’s State Board of Education are selected. Voters will be asked if they want to change the Board of Education from an elected board to a board appointed by the Governor. The question that will be printed on the ballot will be: “Shall the Board of Education be changed to a board appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as provided by law?”

With the Department of Taxation’s recent figures showing some improvement in our tourism industry, there are signs that our overall economy is beginning to slowly climb out of the recession. If the actual tax collection numbers hold up, we should be on our way to what is predicted to be a slow, but steady, economic recovery. And that would be truly welcome news for all.

With warm aloha,

Representative Cynthia Thielen

2010 Legislative Survey Results

Throughout your answers and comments, you’ve made it clear that the sagging economy is Hawaii’s major problem. A significant majority of you are treading water, while nearly one-fifth are in an economic downturn. Small business owners were facing a 1,000% increase in unemployment taxes, which put employers and their employees in further jeopardy. We successfully fought to reduce that tax, and it still needs to be further reduced in the 2011 Legislative Session.

On the fireworks question, the vast majority of you want fireworks banned, with the exception of regulated commercial displays. Because we couldn’t seem to get agreement from neighbor island legislators on restrictions, we passed a bill to let the individual counties enact legislation. In this way, Oahu, with its more urbanized areas, could enact tougher laws, and enable its police to enforce them. We also increased penalties against illegal importation and use of fireworks.

Constituents were split on the use of the State’s Rainy Day Fund to eliminate some of the Furlough Fridays in public schools, while the majority opposed increasing the general excise tax for this purpose. The Legislature ultimately tapped 39% of the Rainy Day Fund to fund human service programs, including keeping domestic violence shelters open. Funds to end Furlough Fridays came from tapping one-third of the Hurricane Relief Fund.

A significant majority of you support an undersea wind cable landing on the Windward side. While I still prefer to develop our wave energy resources, either (or both) of these renewable energy ideas will keep some of the seven billion dollars a year in Hawaii that we now send to foreign countries for imported oil.

On the last question, about commercial use of Kailua beach for weddings, tours and other recreational activities, a strong majority of you want such activities to be “limited.” About one-fifth wanted this activity stopped. On areas makai of the shoreline, the State Land Division and Resources Enforcement have enforcement powers. The City has jurisdiction over mauka and park areas. The State issues wiki permits for activities that do not occupy undue amounts of space, use accessories and do not last more than two hours. Outrigger canoe racers wanting to use Kailua Beach can request permits, as does our annual Kailua 4th of July fireworks show, and these permits are traditionally granted.

Representative Cynthia Thielen • State Capitol, Room 443 • 415 South Beretania Street • Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 • Phone: (808) 586-6480