The Maui News
Monday, January 21, 2008
Editorial
CLAUDINE SAN NICOLAS, staff writer
Except for the somewhat forward-looking tone of the opening day speeches, there is little different about 2008 Legislature – most of the votes belong to Oahu and that makes Neighbor Island legislators members of a minority party.
That fact comes into play particularly when it comes to major capital expenditures and is crucial when the Legislature is facing reduced revenues, the situation this year. Count on Maui's delegation to be among the most successful of the Neighbor Island legislators when it comes to looking out for their constituents.
The nine-member delegation includes two proven veterans in the Senate and two in the House.
The dean of the delegation is Rep. Joe Souki, a one-time speaker of the House and current chairman of the Transportation Committee. The other House veteran is Rep. Bob Nakasone, a legislator who goes about his business with little fanfare and less notoriety.
Rep. Kyle Yamashita is the chairman of the Economic Development and Business Concerns Committee. Reps. Mele Carroll, Angus McKelvey and Joe Bertram III have all earned stripes in the political trenches.
The most influential member of the Maui delegation is Sen. Roz Baker. She's the chairwoman of the Ways and Means Committee, which has a life or death say on any legislation involving money. Due to the horse-trading nature of legislative politics, her influence goes beyond her committee.
Another power wielder from Maui is Sen. J. Kalani English. He's chairman of the Transportation and International Affairs Committee. While serving his second term as a state senator, Shan Tsutsui is vice chairman of the Ways and Means and the Intergovernmental and Military Affairs committees.
Keeping track of the Maui delegation – and the Legislature as a whole – is easy for anyone with access to the Internet. Go to www.capitol.hawaii.gov for all the details on any piece of proposed legislation, including full texts and where it is in the process. Just follow the search instructions.
The 2008 session runs through May 1.
Copyright © 2005 The Maui News.
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