State Legislature Convenes Jan. 18
Legislative committees met during the interim leading up to the 2012 session listening to various groups including business, state departments and non-profits. Budget requests coming from all of the departments will be part of the money committees annual informational briefings leading up to opening day, which is slated to be “scaled back” on January 18.
Economy, Jobs & the Budget Will Be Major Issues
The 2012 State Legislative Session convenes on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The 60 working day session will continue until the first week in May.
Calvin Say continues as Speaker of the House and Shan Tsutsui of Maui remains Senate President. Rep. Gene Ward is the Minority Leader of the 8 (of 51) House members and Sen. Sam Slom—the only Republican of 25 Senators—heads up the Senate Minority.
Former House Majority Leader, Blake Oshiro, was tapped by Governor Abercrombie as his new Deputy Chief of Staff. That created a vacancy which the Governor will fill prior to the Session.
As in 2010, the Majority Leaders announced in November a curtailment of the usual celebratory tone of opening day. They want it to be more business like in light of Hawaii’s continuing economic problems. No flowers, friends or entertainment will mark the opening and there will be few and brief speeches. Hearings will commence immediately after the 10 am opening.
Major issues during the Session will include the economy and job creation, budget considerations—a supplemental budget will be submitted—education, judicial reform and Native Hawaiian issues involving a ceded lands settlement.
There will still be a push for tax increases, benefits for unions and additional government regulations. Legalized gambling and physician assisted suicide will reappear as well.
For up to date information, go to the newly designed state website at http://capitol.hawaii.gov and the Senate Minority websites http://senateminority.wordpress.com/