The Molokai Times
Monday, May 12, 2008
By Sen. J. Kalani English, (D-6 Hana, E. & Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai & Kaho'olawe)
There are three things we as lawmakers have come to expect from the end of the legislative session. There is never enough money available to fund every deserving program, hard work and compromise allow us to resolve differences between the House and Senate on important bills, and the governor claims that we accomplished nothing.
This year has been no different. Governor Linda Lingle has taken to the airwaves and print media to decry the fact that the legislature has not funded her priorities at the levels she requested, and to condemn us for refusing to adopt her pet projects as our own. What it really comes down to, however, is the overriding reality that while it is easy to propose a bloated budget, promising full funding to every interest of every potential supporter, it is far harder to be responsible in determining our state's priorities and funding vital programs at reasonable levels.
One example is the governor's approach to addressing the problem of homelessness in our state. It should go without saying that every member of our legislature, regardless of party affiliation, would like to find a solution to the problem of homeless residents. At the same time, the challenge calls for more than building more shelters. We first have to determine where these shelters should go, based on the needs of the homeless population and our desire to avoid saddling a single district or community with an unfair percentage of facilities. While most communities are willing to do their part, none wants to bear the entire burden for an entire island or the state.
As a result, the governor's approach, which has frequently excluded the community from these discussions and dedicated too much space in individual districts to homeless and transitional shelters, is ineffective. Moreover, her continued use of emergency powers, which exempts her projects from the operation of numerous state laws, deprives residents and the legislature from their rightful place in making these important policy decisions.
By contrast, the legislature has accepted a leadership role in using our limited state funds in a way that both addresses current needs and takes a long view of our changing economy. So even as we forced the current administration to put the brakes on uncontrolled spending of federal aid money Ñ in order to maintain a reserve for coming years when we expect that an economic downturn could make more families eligible for that support Ñ we took quick action to help ensure that medical insurance is available to the children of the former workers of companies like Aloha Airlines and Molokai Ranch who have suddenly lost their jobs due to company closures or bankruptcies.
Maintaining a careful balance in spending is neither sexy nor simple. It is not the kind of effort that you can point to and say to a key supporter, "I took care of you." It does mean working with the community, and bringing together divergent groups with often-conflicting interests. And it is the kind of work that our community needs if we are to remain strong, despite the challenges of the future.
Original article URL: http://www.molokaitimes.com/articles/8512234339.asp