Historic Hawaii House Coalition Delivers Promising Results

By Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson is House Minority Leader and Rep. Scott K. Saiki is House Majority Leader.05/14/2013

http://www.civilbeat.com/voices/2013/05/14/19052-historic-hawaii-house-coalition-delivers-promising-results/

Nathan Eagle/Honolulu Civil Beat

The 2013 legislative session has come to a close having made significant progress. A bipartisan coalition, the first in the history of the House of Representatives, committed to finding common ground and overcoming politics as usual to make investments in Hawaii’s future, improve the quality of life for our working families, and increase transparency and accountability in government.

The swift and unanimously supported repeal of the Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC) was a direct response to public outcry concerning a closed government process that granted vast environmental exemptions to speed development. Repeal of this newly created entity quickly gained consensus across the aisle and was one of the first priorities of the House.

Recognizing the need to put the State in a sure and sound fiscal position and invest in the future, the Legislature took a momentous first step this session to address unfunded liabilities with a commitment of $217 million over the next two fiscal years. Additionally, the Hurricane Relief and Rainy Day Funds will be recapitalized with $160 million and $50 million, respectively. These actions will considerably secure Hawaii’s bond rating and place it in a much healthier position for future investments.

Serious discussions about broad-based tax relief first began in the House where lawmakers recognized the need to help alleviate the incredibly high cost of living that burdens middle class families. Although not realized this session, we remain fully committed to continuing these discussions next legislative session.

The House also focused on campaign reform by introducing legislation, approved by the Legislature, that requires super PACs to identify the top three donors funding political advertisements. The Legislature also changed the financial disclosure filing dates for lawmakers to account for more transparency in their financial interests.

Broader institutional reform of the House of Representatives also represented an important common goal. In order to hold government more accountable and make it more accessible and transparent, the House and Senate began conference committee meetings on the state budget a week earlier to allow more discussion and negotiation time. This enabled the public to better follow the work of the conference committee.

This session, the needs of our people prevailed over the needs of political parties. At a time when increasing polarization in Washington, D.C. has created an atmosphere that produces little help for everyday people, we in the House have tried to chart an encouraging new path and set a new tone by working across the aisle in a meaningful way.

There is still much work to be done in the years ahead. And on some issues, differences of opinion will always remain. But this session has proved that there is often more potential for collaboration than many might assume. The House of Representatives’ bipartisan coalition has succeeded in looking for common cause and achieving common ground.

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Rep. Johanson, Minority Leader – Closing Remarks – May 2013

Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, Minority Leader – Closing Remarks – May 2013

Contact: repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov Excerpt from Capitol TV

Rep. Johanson addresses SB890 Johanson Hawaii Labor Relations Board; Temporary Member

RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.
Report Title: Hawaii Labor Relations Board; Temporary Member
Description: Authorizes the governor to appoint an acting member of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board if a regular member is temporarily unable to act due to absence from the state, recusal, or illness. Requires the governor to first consider persons to serve as acting members from a list of names submitted by employee organizations if the regular member is the representative of management or labor and by public employers if the regular member is the representative of management. Clarifies that an acting member shall be appointed for the case in which the recusal occurred, and that the acting member’s appointment shall terminate when the final decision is filed or the case is withdrawn. (CD1)

4/30/2013 S Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). 25 Aye(s); Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
4/30/2013 H Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Fukumoto, Johanson voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Ohno voting no (1) and none excused (0).

Contact repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov Excerpt from Capitol TV

Mike Buck talks to Rep. Johanson – April 29, 2013 – Audio File

Minority Leader Aaron Ling Johanson talks with Mike Buck about bills for final reading, early education and what might pass. Tune in Monday mornings during the 7 o’clock hour to hear Rep. Johanson on 690 AM. Call in to: 808-296-5467.

Contact: repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov

Mike Buck with Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson – Audio File – April15, 2013

Minority Leader Aaron Ling Johanson talks with Mike Buck about bills moving forward and how the PLDC repeal was accomplished in a bipartisan fashion. Tune in Monday mornings during the 7 o’clock hour to hear Rep. Johanson on 690 AM. Call in to: 808-296-5467.

 

 

Contact: repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Minority Caucus hails bipartisan PLDC repeal

The House Minority Caucus today praised the bipartisan House effort to repeal the controversial Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC). After advancing from the Senate last week, House Bill 1133 SD2 passed the House in a unanimous floor vote today and will next be transmitted to the governor for signature into law.

“When legislation sparks such controversy among an array of diverse groups and the public, it is time to reconsider it. This repeal is a recognition of the public’s outcry,” said Minority Leader Aaron Ling Johanson.

Rep. Cynthia Thielen added, “I’m pleased that we were able to accomplish this repeal in a bipartisan fashion. There are many things the two parties do agree on – it’s encouraging to see members from both sides coming together for such good work. This is a prime example of the Legislature collaborating to satisfy the wishes of the people it serves.”

The previous Legislature established the Public Land Development Corporation with the intent of growing Hawaii’s economy, but its hurried process and closed-door implementation were criticized by a host of environmental and good-government organizations and individuals.

The repeal of the PLDC was a top priority of the House Minority Caucus this legislative session. The primary introducers of HB 1133 SD2 include thirteen Democrats and six Republicans.

See Hawaii Reporter: http://www.hawaiireporter.com/house-minority-caucus-hails-bipartisan-repeal-of-the-public-land-development-corporation/123

 

 

Rep.Aaron Ling Johanson Addresses the SB1092 Amendment – Hurricane Reserve Trust Fund;

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO RECAPITALIZE THE HURRICANE RESERVE TRUST FUND.
Report Title: Hurricane Reserve Trust Fund; Recapitalization; Appropriation ($)
Description: Makes a general fund appropriation of an unspecified amount for fiscal year 2014-2015 to recapitalize the hurricane reserve trust fund. Effective 07/01/2030. (HD1)
4/9/2013 H Floor amendment failed following a voice vote: Noes, 6 (Representative(s) Evans, Johanson, Luke, Nishimoto, Saiki, Souki). Excused, 2 (Representative(s) Cabanilla, McKelvey).
4/9/2013 H Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cabanilla, McKelvey excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

Contact: repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov Excerpt from Capitol TV

Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson Addresses SB 890 – Hawaii Labor Relations Board

RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.
Report Title: Hawaii Labor Relations Board; Temporary Member
Description: Authorizes the Chief Justice to appoint an acting member of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board if a regular member is temporarily unable to act due to absence from the state, recusal, or illness. Clarifies that an acting member shall be appointed for the case in which the recusal occurred, and that the acting member’s appointment shall terminate when the final decision is filed or the case is withdrawn. Effective July 1, 2113. (SB890 HD1)

4/9/2013 H Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Aquino, Cullen, Fale, Fukumoto, Johanson, Kawakami, Yamane, Yamashita voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.

Contact: Repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov Excerpt from Capitol TV

Rep. Johanson Addresses SB331 – Minimum Wage; Employment

RELATING TO LABOR.
Report Title: Minimum Wage; Employment
Description: Increases the hourly minimum wage to $7.75 on January 1, 2014, $8.25 on January 1, 2015, $8.75 on January 1, 2016, and $9.00 on January 1, 2017. Effective July 1, 2050. (SB331 HD1)

4/4/2013 H Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Cheape, Fukumoto, Johanson, Kobayashi, Say, Ward voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Fale, Har, McDermott, Tokioka voting no (4) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.

 

 

Contact: Repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov Excerpt from Capitol TV

The GOP’s Local Youth Movement

Politics // Mostly Politics

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Dan Boylan | http://www.midweek.com/the-gops-local-youth-movement/

Republican state Reps. Richard Fale, Beth Fukumoto, Aaron Ling Johanson and Lauren Cheape Photo courtesy House Minority Caucus

Finding signs of life in Hawaii’s Republican Party can be frustrating – almost as frustrating as being a Republican in Hawaii. Hawaii’s congressional delegation belongs to the Democrats – so, too, the governorship and both houses of the state Legislature.

Republican numbers are near record lows. They own but one seat in the 25-member state Senate, seven in the 51-member House of Representatives – and the latter number has changed little in recent years. The promise of Republican Linda Lingle’s eight years as governor did not translate to legislative victories.

Yet there’s hope. It’s to be found in four young Republicans, three of whom are freshmen and the fourth in his second term in the state House. Aaron Ling Johanson, the Republican minority leader and vice chairman of the House Finance Committee, is 33 years old. First-year members Richard Fale, Beth Fukumoto and Lauren Cheape are 31, 28 and 25, respectively.

All claim Democrats in their closets. Johanson’s grandmother was a Democrat. Fukumoto’s mother came to Hawaii to help with the unions. Cheape’s grandmother, Suzanne Peterson, served in Democrat Gov. John Waihee’s agriculture department.

Says Fale, “I grew up in Tonga thinking the Democrats in Hawaii were for the little guy, but when I got here and experienced the education system, I said, ‘If this is how Democrats govern, I’m not one.’”

All hold firmly to the need for a strong two-party system.

“Democracy means strong debates, and that requires a strong Republican Party,” says Cheape.

But they also seek, as Johanson puts it, “to be strategically relevant.”

Thus the Republicans’ coalition with Democrats supporting Joe Souki for the speakership.

Has the coalition with Democrats worked?

All smile.

“None of us were overly idealistic about what it would bring,” says Fukumoto.

Adds Johanson: “But is there progress? Yes. This is the most efficacy we’ve had in the House in a long time.”

Where do young elected Republicans look for models?

Fukumoto worked the session for veteran Republican legislator Gene Ward; Fale and Johanson did the same for former Republican minority leader Lynn Finnegan. Fale and Cheape both mention Democrat Roy Takumi. “He’s always willing to discuss issues,” says Cheape. “He takes time for a freshman.”

Fukumoto looks to Democrat Della Au Belatti: “She’s conscientious and inclusive.”

The young Republicans admit their party faces an uphill climb to majority status.

“We’re trying to work as a team rather than for ourselves,” says Fukumoto. “We’re trying to create a better Republican brand. Democrats are good at working as one. Not the GOP. ”

Johanson agrees: “The individual path as a contrarian doesn’t work. You can’t build something bigger if nobody wants to work with you.”

Fale thinks the stuff of a Republican resurgence lies near the surface of the electorate. “It’s a movement,” he says. “People know something’s wrong.

They can’t always articulate it, but they know it’s wrong.”

In 2012, Fale articulated it in his North Shore district, edging out a Republican incumbent in the primary and trouncing the Democrat in the general.

“Last year, at the door and in the district, our three Republican freshmen bucked a Democratic trend,” says Johanson. “Voters understood where they were coming from and trusted them as arbiters who cared about the quality of their lives.”

But where do you find the attractive, young candidates who “at the door and in the district” can become the GOP frosh class of 2014 and beyond?

“We have to build a network of camaraderie and friendship among people our own age,” says Fukumoto.

“And,” adds Cheape, “they have to be invested in their communities, in their schools, their problems, their daily lives.”