Wahiawa pre-legislative session forum with Rep. Marcus Oshiro

Wahiawa Pre-session Forum 11/20/12

Waianae Residents Invited to Town Hall Meeting

How as the state budget balanced?

What was cut from government?  What was funded?

What laws passed, and how will they affect me?


Waianae residents can find out the answers to those questions during Rep. Jo Jordan's upcoming Legislative Town Hall Meeting.  Here are the details:

WHEN:   Wednesday, June 13, 2012

TIME:  7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Waianae District Park (in the multi-purpose room)

ADDRESS:  85-601 Farrington Highway


SPECIAL GUEST:  House Finance Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro

For more information, call the office of Rep. Jo Jordan at 808-586-8460 or email repjordan@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on next Jordan's Journal

House Finance Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, joins Rep. Jo Jordan on the next episode of "Jordan's Journal".  The show airs on Sunday, June 3rd, 8:30 p.m. on Olelo, Channel 54.  You can catch the repeat on Monday, June 4th, 1:00 p.m. and June 11, 1:00 p.m., on the same channel.

You can also watch the video here:


Rep. Jordan is a member of the House Finance Committee.  Together, they discuss the challenges of balancing the budget this year, restoring certain services now that the economy is slowly recovering, and the outlook for the next biennium.

They talk about the cooperative relationship this year between the legislature and the Governor's Office, and some of the key initiatives that were passed as a result.  Major steps were taken to restructure public employee benefits going forward.  Some important issues remain and will be taken up again next year, such as providing payments towards the state's unfunded liability for retiree benefits.

Rep. Oshiro will be the special guest at Rep. Jordan's upcoming Legislative Town Hall Meeting.  It will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Waianae District Park Multi-purpose Room.  More information on that to come.

Top 10 Reasons to Vote for the Budget

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Chair of the House Finance Committee, listed the Top Ten Reasons to vote for HB2012, the state budget bill. 

1. $250,000 for childhood obesity programs
2. $1 million for the freeway service patrol
3. $1.4 million for 19 positions and expedited turnaround for low income housing rental units.
4. $5 million for watershed program
5. $3.3 million adult education programs
6. $3.4 million for Justice Reinvestment programs
7. $22.9 million for Medicaid payments
8. $26 million for UH West Oahu and $3 million for new bookstore and dining room
9. $700,000 for Na Pua No'eau
10. $14 million for DOE's Weighted Student Formula and $25 million for school bus transportation

Finance Committee Puts Its Money Where Its Mouth Is

Earlier today, the House Committee on Finance presented an over-sized check of 47,300 cents to the Hawaii Foodbank. The nearly fifty-thousand pennies came from representatives who participated in the fundraiser that charged 50 cents for each question asked during committee hearings. Non-finance committee members who asked questions during hearings could also participate, but they were required to pay an additional $5 sitting fee.

Rep. Gene Ward took the top spot, asking 122 questions during hearings for a total of 6100 cents. Rep. Sharon Har came in second place with a donation of 4300 cents. Speaker Calvin Say, who does not sit on the committee, still managed to give a respectable 1450 cents.

The Committee on Finance's creative side was displayed early this session in their FINe Art competition at Art at the Capitol. The same artistic genius came out in the design of the check to the Foodbank. The logos (and interest rates) for all of the financial institutions that the state holds accounts in were displayed on the background of the check. The attention to detail even made its way to the account number -located in the lower left-hand corner- which is Chair Oshiro's office number.

This was a fun and creative way to support a great cause in the Hawaii Foodbank. We're looking forward to seeing what FIN has in store for us next session!

First Annual Capitol Talent Show

The Mysterious Madame Moshiro stealing the show and our hearts.

Yesterday evening, lawmakers from the House and the Senate squared off in the first annual Capitol Talent Show to benefit the Hawaii Food Bank. The House team included Reps. Tom Brower, Cindy Evans, Faye Hanohano, Ken Ito, John Mizuno, Dee Morikawa, and Marcus Oshiro. Senators Mike Gabbard, Brickwood Galuteria, Josh Green, Pohai Ryan, and Malama Solomon represented the other chamber of our state legislature.

Governor Abercrombie (Rep. Mizuno) discussing the merits of single use bags

The contest was neck and neck until the Mysterious Madame Moshiro (House Finance Chair, Marcus Oshiro) electrified the room with 'her' rendition of "I Will Survive." 3M's sultry performance captured her the award for best individual performance and led the House team to its first Koa Cup team title.

Reps. Ken Ito and Cindy Evans wowed the crowd with their swing dancing

The bar has been set pretty high (or low) for next year's contest, where the House will try to keep the Cup. At the end of the day, $1,391 was raised for the Hawaii Food Bank and a lot of fun was had by all!    

Finance Chair Oshiro Breaks Down the Budget

On Sunday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published an editorial from House Committee on Finance Chair, Marcus Oshiro explaining the state's current financial situation and plans for the future.

At the midway point of the 2012 legislative session, the House passed a budget that reflects a new normal after the Great Recession of 2008. It reprioritizes programs fundamental to public safety and welfare, immediately creates hundreds of jobs in a variety of key industries, and squarely addresses long-term debt. It also charts a course to grow our economy based on long-term financial stability and starts to implement our vision for Hawaii's economic potential.

The budget bill appropriated $5.6 billion in general funds and $13.6 billion in all means of financing, including capital improvements. This is the first year since the recession that the Legislature is not forced to close a deficit over $1 billion.


On March 7, the Council on Revenues revised its projection for fiscal year 2012 upward from 11.5 percent to 12 percent growth. While this means more revenue is available, to spend more money simply to restore programs is not the right thing to do. To incur debt because interest rates are low is shortsighted. To do so means that we haven't learned the lessons of the recession from which we are emerging.


Instead, the House budget is prudent and reprioritizes, rehabilitates and renews government services for the years ahead. It includes $2.2 million for 29 agriculture inspectors to curb invasive species and assist farmers with crop shipments. We provided $15 million for the most vulnerable, including abused and abandoned children, to hire 15 additional Medicaid eligibility workers to reduce the backlog of applications, and $23.4 million for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families services aimed at helping people achieve self-sufficiency.


Creating jobs now is at the forefront of our plan for economic recovery. The construction industry suffered greatly through the recession. There is a backlog of repair and maintenance projects for state facilities in excess of $1 billion. Recognizing these facts, the House appropriated $2.4 billion in bond-funded capital improvement projects for the coming year.


We are working with the governor to upgrade our information technology capacity; $30 million was approved for statewide initiatives by the chief information officer to streamline state government and create higher levels of transparency and accountability. This includes $1.4 million for the Hawaii Broadband Initiative to fund pilot programs to increase the state's broadband capacity.


Beyond the budget, House lawmakers are focusing on a matrix of economic initiatives through emerging industries such as aerospace, digital media and renewable energy.


The state's financial future also depends on tackling long-term debt. As of July 1, 2009, the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) had a total unfunded liability of more than $14.5 billion, with the state responsible for more than $11.5 billion. The House Finance Committee started the process of setting aside monies toward annual required contributions, appropriating $50 million for this purpose in fiscal 2012-2013. Due to the complexity of the issue, we propose a study on how to implement reforms and improve the fiscal health of the EUTF.


We believe that a steady and deliberative approach to the budget is the best way to achieve our goals. The budget passed by the House ensures that the most basic needs of Hawaii's people are met, particularly in human services and agriculture. It also supports long-term planning and accountability that will fundamentally change the character and delivery of government services. 

House Finance Passes Military Package

Left to right: Rep. Ty Cullen (Vice Chair, Public Safety & Military Affairs), Laurie Crehan (Regional Liaison, Department of Defense), Rep. Marcus Oshiro (Chair, Finance) and Rep. Henry Aquino (Chair, Public Safety & Military Affairs)

The House Committee on Finance on Thursday, February 23, 2012, approved a legislative package supporting the military in Hawai’i. The adoption of five bills supporting the overall military presence in the state as well as military members and veterans are as follows:

HB 2410 Relating to the Military.  HB 2410 requires the Governor to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide continued support for the military’s presence in Hawai’i.

“Tourism and the military are the two pillars of our economy.  House Bill 2410 will further bolster the relationship between the state of Hawai’i and the U.S. Department of Defense, ensuring continued cooperation moving forward,” said House Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs Chair, Rep. Henry J.C. Aquino.

HB 2409 Relating to Consumer Protection.  House Bill 2409 authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to enforce existing federal laws protecting military members and their families.  The John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 limits the terms of credit that may be applied to military members and their dependents.  The act is designed to protect military members and their families from unfair lending practices that are commonly used by issuers of payday loans, vehicle title loans, and tax refund anticipation loans.  There is no federal enforcement mechanism for the legislation, and HB 2409 will authorize the DCCA to take action in the state of Hawai’i.

“The federal government has acknowledged the fact that military members and their families are targeted by predatory lenders and passed laws protecting those who protect us," said Rep. Aquino.

HB 2258 Relating to Professional and Vocational Licensing

HB 2639 Relating to Higher Education

House Bill 2258 allows professional and vocational licensing authorities to accept military training, education, and service towards licensing requirements.  House Bill 2639 authorizes the University of Hawai’i system to grant military members with college credits for military experience.  Military members currently receive college credits for military training, but not for professional experience while serving. The bill will establish a learning assessment to determine college-level learning gained during military service.

“Our commitment to military members does not end with their service to our country," said Rep. Aquino.  "Mandating that the University of Hawai’i, as well as professional and vocational licensing authorities, to recognize military training is a key step in helping veterans transition to the civilian work force."

HB2798 Relating to a Veterans Treatment Court.  HB2798 establishes a Veterans Court that will allow Hawai’i to join more than a dozen states across the country in taking into account the impact returning home from combat has on veterans when administering justice.  The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have caused a spike in veterans going through the court system. The Veterans Treatment Court is a system that recognizes the psychological effects of deployments and gives veterans a degree of justice commensurate with their service.

“The passage of these five pieces of legislation shows the commitment to and appreciation of the military, service members, and their families that is consistent with the values and priorities of the state of Hawai’i,” said Rep. Aquino.

Meeting the Press on Opening Day

Before reconvening the Hawaii Legislature, Speaker Calvin Say and Majority Leader Pono Chong met with reporters to talk about the legislative agenda this year. See what they had to say by visiting the links below:

Speaker on KITV.
Majority Leader on Hawaii News Now.

Later, after the Opening Day Session ended, Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro and Speaker Calvin Say answered reporters' questions on a variety of issues including fee increases, expediting construction projects, EUTF, unfunded liability, public workers' contracts, gambling, exemptions for procurement, reapportionment, revising the TAT, and the coffee beetle bug problem.

Watch the interviews below:

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, chair of the House Committee on Finance, fields questions from reporters on the economy, public workers contracts, EUTF, and unfunded liability. Oshiro spoke with reporters after the House opened the 2012 Legislation Session on January 18.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro tells reporters how important it is to get bills passed that will help get our construction projects underway in a timely manner. It's a win-win situation, he says. People can get back to work, business for vendors and necessary improvements can be made to our schools, our court houses, our hospitals, etc.

Speaker Calvin Say of the Hawaii House of Representatives fields question from reporters on a variety of issues including the coffee beetle bug problem, fee increases, gambling, procurement exemptions, reapportionment, and possible revisions to the Transient Accommodation Tax.

Finance Tours: DAGS

Members of the House Finance Committee recently visited the the Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT) and the Hawaii State Record Center. The entire day was spent learning about the department and a few of its divisions. In a previous post, we shared photos taken and information learned during a tour of the Kalanimoku building to view the solar panels installed on its roof.

Following that visit, lawmakers toured the OIMT, located in the basement of the Kalanimoku building, with Chief Information Officer Sanjeev "Sonny" Bhagowalia. He later presented a powerpoint to explain the divisions plans for transforming its resources and management practices. You can view reports and assessments here. Later, the group headed to the State Records Center, facility that stores inactive non-permanent paper records and security copies of microfilms and microfiche.

Finance Tours: Kalanimoku Building Solar Power

I recently tagged along with members of the House Finance Committee during various tours of state sites on Oahu, including DAGS facilities, the Information and Communications Services Division, Aloha Stadium, Hawaii Film Studio, and Kuhio Park Terrace. I'll do a blog post on each site visit over the next week.

The site visits allow lawmakers to see firsthand the projects and initiatives funded (or not funded) by the state budget, and to meet and talk with departmental personnel and officials about what has been done, what needs to be done, and what the legislature can expect next session in funding requests.

On the morning of the first day I met with lawmakers and DAGS personnel at the Kalanimoku building where we were given a tour of the photovoltaic panels on the building rooftop. The installation of the 1,005 solar photovoltaic panels was completed in July 2011 as part of the State’s efforts to lead by example and lower Hawaii’s dependency on foreign oil. This project is part of the State’s Clean Energy Initiative.

An energy kiosk has been installed in the entry lobby of the building where the public can view a display of “real-time” and “historical energy usage” and snapshots of “carbon footprint data” demonstrating the PV system performance.

FACTS:

The project is part of the $33.9 million Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) project awarded by DAGS in 2009 to improve the energy efficiency for 10 office buildings, located in the downtown State Capital District, with high annual utility bills. The other buildings are the State Capitol, Kalanimoku, Ke‘elikolani, Kekauluohi (State Archives), Kekaunaoa, Keoni Ana, Kinau Hale, Queen Lili‘uokalani, No. 1 Capitol District, and Leiopapa-a-Kamehameha.

Construction started in August 2010 and the PV system has been producing power since January 2011.

The project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the $2.9 million solar installation is an educational / demonstration project reviewed by the U.S. Department of Energy.

$70-80,0000 dollars energy savings per year.

200kW (AC) of photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity produces approximately 296,849 kilowatt hours (kWh) in its first year, the equivalent of powering 40 residences in Hawai’i for one year.

Over 20 years the 200 kW of PV solar capacity will produce an estimated 5,377, 911 kWh, the equivalent of powering 726 residences in Hawai’i for one year.
Rooftop mounting is provided by a fully ballasted PV panel mounting system with no roof penetrations to anchor PV panels.

In one full year of production, 200 kW (AC) of PV solar power offsets 506, 689 ;bs of carbon dioxide equivalents. This is the equivalent of taking 83 cars off the road for one year.

The House Finance Committee is headed by chair Marcus Oshiro and co-chair Marilyn Lee. Members includeReps Chris Lee, Derek S.K. Kawakami , Pono Chong, Dee Morikawa, Isaac W. Choy, James Kunane Tokioka, Ty Cullen, Kyle T. Yamashita, Sharon E. Har, Barbara C. Marumoto, Mark J. Hashem, Gil Riviere, Linda Ichiyama, Gene Ward, and Jo Jordan.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro in Israel for Project Interchange

State Representative Marcus Oshiro, the House Finance Chair, is currently in Israel participating in Project Interchange, a bi-partisan educational institute of AJC - American Jewish Committee. Attendees are primarily House and Senate leaders from across the country. The trip includes meetings with senior Israeli, Palestinian and Israeli Arab leaders.

The group is traveling to areas across Israel, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Northern Border, the Dead Sea, and Sderot. They will attend sessions on economic development and absorption and integration of immigrant and minority communities, and how high tech initiatives foster effective co-existence between Arabs and Jews.

Read the full press release below:
Project Interchange State Elected Officials Release

Rep. Marcus Oshiro on Record Breaking CSGWest Meeting

George Kam, Brother Noland, Rep. Marcus Oshiro after the Opening Program at the CSGWest 64th Annual Meeting, Sheraton Waikiki

Next up on Jordan's Journal, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, who is the current presiding Chair of Council of State Governments - WEST, talks about the planning and successful completion of the CSGWest 64th annual meeting held in Honolulu July 29 - August 2, 2011.

Jordan's Journal is produced and hosted by Rep. Jo Jordan. The show airs on Olelo Ch. 54 at the following dates/times:

Monday, September 26, 2011 at 1 p.m.

Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, October 3, 2011 at 1 p.m.

CSGWest is comprised of government officials from the 13 western states. It covers the three branches of government - legislative, executive and judicial. The annual meeting rotates between the western members; the last time the meeting was held in Honolulu was in 2003 when Senator Brian Taniguchi was chair.

Rep. Oshiro shares with us all that went into the extensive planning and preparation to host about 680 registrants, a new attendance record for the organization. Much thought went into ensuring that the aloha spirit was present throughout the meeting, starting with the theme of the conference - Halawai - where leaders gather, and the spectacular opening presented by George Kam, ambassador of Aloha, Brother Noland and the Chinky Mahoe halau.

Hawaii's private sector, including many in Hawaii's agriculture industry, were involved in highlighting local food and products throughout the three-day event.

Chair Oshiro will now be handing over the baton to Wyoming Rep. Rosie Berger who will Chair next year's meeting.

Capitol Blood Drive

Rep. Marcus Oshiro and Rep. Tom Brower joined many at the Hawaii State Capitol in donating blood to the Blood Bank of Hawaii to help save lives. The event was sponsored by Senate President Shan S. Tsutsui.

If you've never given blood, consider these facts from the American Red Cross the next time you hear about a blood drive:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
• Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.

Hope to see you at the next blood drive!

HSAC Legislators of the Year

Congratulations to Rep. Marcus Oshiro and Senate President Shan Tsutsui for both being named"Legislator of the Year" by the Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC).

The awards were presented yesterday at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui where HSAC held their annual meeting for 2011.

Rep. Oshiro shares a laugh with Maui County Council Chair Danny Mateo after presenting "omiyage" from Oahu - plastic bags. The Maui County Council voted to ban plastic bags last year, effective January 2011, and they have now become a rarity on Maui. Guess it's working!

Wahiawa Post-Session Forum with Rep. Marcus Oshiro, June 28

Marcus Oshiro Post-Session Forum

Rep. Sharon Har Next on "Jordan's Journal"

View on Olelo Community Media, Channel 54 (Views)

6/18/11 Saturday - 5:00 p.m.

6/19/11 Sunday - 2:00 p.m.

6/20/11 Monday - 1:00 p.m.

6/21/11 Tuesday - 8:30 p.m.

Rep. Sharon Har (District 40 - Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa) will be Rep. Jo Jordan's guest on the next episode of "Jordan's Journal."

Har, a land use attorney, is Vice Chair of the House Committee on Water, Land & Ocean Resources. She talks about her decision to run for office, the growth of the "Second City", and pressing issues of the district such as traffic and building new roads.

Jordan (District 45 - Waianae, Makaha, Makua) and Har discuss areas that their two communities have in common such as the future of the landfill, and the promising developments in digital media.

Coming Up: Community meeting on Traffic and Transportation Issues

Rep. Har will hold a Kapolei area community meeting on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at Kapolei High School Cafeteria, 7:00 t0 8:30 p.m. More details to follow.

Update on "Jordan's Journal" with Rep. Marcus Oshiro

This show repeats this weekend:

6/18/11 Saturday - 4:30 p.m.

6/19/11 Sunday - 10:30 a.m.

Rep Jordan interviews Rep Marcus Oshiro

House Freshmen Representatives reviewing budget worksheets in Finance hearing

Left to right: Reps Dee Morikawa, Jo Jordan, Mark Hashem, Derek Kawakami, Linda Ichiyama and Ty Cullen

On the next edition of "Jordan's Journal", Rep. Jordan interviews Finance Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro. This show airs on Olelo channel 54 on the following dates and times:

Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 10, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.

Highlights include:

*Looking back on the 2011 session

*Comparing the current economic situation with "The Santa Claus Years" - before 2007

*How the budget was balanced

*The General Excise Tax as a means of raising revenue - pro and con

*Eliminating furloughs

*Restoring funds for certain programs - which programs and why

*Giving the new administration the resources to re-size and re-tool

Rep. Marcus Oshiro hits the stage

Pictured from (left to right): Jodie Yamada (Elaine), Marcus Oshiro (Dean), Valerie Falle (Kimi Morimoto), and Nani Morita (Flo) in the production of "It's All Relative." Photo courtesy of Kumu Kahua Theatre.

Our very own Rep. Marcus Oshiro, the State House Finance Chairman, has a part in a new dark comedy by playwright Edward Sakamoto that opened on May 26, 2011 at Kumu Kahua Theatre. It got great reviews this past weekend, so plan to check it out before it closes at the end of June.

The play, “It’s All Relative,” follows a seemingly happy local Japanese-American family as they deal with lingering issues in modern Hawaii. Hidden behind what appears to be a stable and happy family lay a web of snarled relationships between family members, starting first with the collapse of a 50-year marriage. Rep. Oshiro plays the failed couple’s son, Dean Miyamoto, a frustrated high school teacher going through a midlife crisis. The multi-generational family is rounded off with Miyamoto’s wife Elaine, his unmarried sister Flo and his three Yonsei granddaughters.

Check out the review of the play from John Berger in the Honolulu Pulse as well as Noe Tanigawa’s backstage interview on Hawaii Public Radio.

Where: Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through June 26
Cost: $20 general admission (various discounts available)
Info: 536-4441 or www.kumukahua.org

Halawai: Where Leaders Gather

The Council of State Governments West (CSGWest) will hold its 64th annual meeting in Hawaii July 30th - August 2, 2011. CSGWest is a nonpartisan organization of 13 western state legislatures. Learn more on the CSGWest website.

State Representative Marcus Oshiro serves as the CSGWest chair and is co-host of the annual meeting with State Senator Brian Taniguchi. Honorary co-chairs are Speaker of the House Calvin Say and Senate President Shan Tsutsui. For more information on the meeting, check out the Hawaii 2011 CSGWest website.