PROMISES OF CREATING MORE TRANSPARENCY, CRACKING DOWN ON CORRUPTION, MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DIVERSIFYING HAWAII’S ECONOMY.

AS ANOTHER SESSION COMES TO A CLOSE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, DID LAWMAKERS FOLLOW THROUGH ON ALL THE PRIORITIES THEY LAID OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR?

WE LOOK AT THE MEASURES THAT MADE IT TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK, WHICH ONES DIDN’T, AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M DARYL HUFF.

MORE THAN 200 BILLS PASSED AND A BUDGET BILL OF MORE THAN $38 BILLION DOLLARS IS NOW WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR’S APPROVAL.

IT’S BEEN A BUSY SESSION FOR STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR’S ADMINISTRATION.

TONIGHT, WE’RE JOINED BY THE LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO HAMMER OUT OVER WEEKS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN MATSUMOTO IS THE STATE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

BORN AND RAISED IN MILILANI, SHE BEGAN SERVING IN THE HOUSE IN 2012.

SEPARATE FROM HER ROLE IN THE LEGISLATURE, SHE IS CURRENTLY PURSUING A DOCTORATE IN.

JUST RECEIVED DOCTORATE IN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SAIKI IS THE STATE HOUSE SPEAKER.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE HOUSE IN 1994.

IN ADDITION TO SERVING AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, SAIKI IS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY, SPECIALIZING IN DISABILITY LAW.

SENATOR RON KOUCHI IS THE STATE SENATE PRESIDENT.

REPRESENTING KAUAI AND NIIHAU, KOUCHI HAS SERVED IN THE SENATE SINCE 2010.

HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE KAUAI COUNTY COUNCIL FOR 22 YEARS.

CHAD BLAIR IS A REPORTER AND EDITOR AT HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.

HE HAS ALSO TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY AND CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU.

AND POLITICAL ANALYST COLIN MOORE IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND THE CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

I'M GOING TO START OFF, I DON'T USUALLY THIS.

TART OFF WITH A QUESTION.

DIRECTED TO CHAD.

LET BOTH CHAD AND COLIN MOORE ANSWER.

END OF SESSION WAS DESCRIBED AS CHAOTIC BY MULTIPLE LONG TIME LEGISLATORS, CIVIL BEAT WENT SO FAR AS TO CALL IT AN EXPLETIVE SHOW.

CAN YOU GO MORE INTO WHY YOU THINK IS THE CASE, WHY CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT?

FROM PABLO IN WAIMANALO.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

FAMILY PROGRAM.

NOT GOING TO USE PROFANITY.

I DID HEAR A LOT OF PROFANITIES USED LAST YEAR OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

FINAL DAY.

MAY 4 SESSION ENDED.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SO MANY GOOD THINGS OCCURRED, MILLIONS DOLLARS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOR HOMELESSNESS, MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT, ANY NUMBER OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, I THINK THEY TEND TO GET CLOUDED BY WHAT IS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST DAY OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SO‑CALLED CATTLE CALL HAPPENED, CALLED BY THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT, YOU SAW THIS MAD RUSH OF LAWMAKERS ALL CRAMMING INTO CONFERENCE 309 TO HASTILY MEET THAT DEADLINE.

DOZENS BILLS FELL BY THE WAYSIDE.

INCLUDING IMPORTANT SUNSHINE BILLS.

>> FINAL DAY OF SESSION, SPEAKER'S CHAMBER, YOU SAW NUMBER RISE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PROTEST BUDGET BEING CRAFTED.

>> WASN'T SIGNED OFF UNTIL THE LAST DAY OF SESSION.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROCESS, NOT SEEING WHAT THEY'RE VOTING.

ON.

CLOUD OF CHAOS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE PRIMARY THING THAT WE SHOULD REMEMBER ABOUT THIS LEGISLATURE IN.

>> I THINK IT'S THE THING WE ARE GOING TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS LEGISLATURE.

GET INTO A LOT OF GOOD THINGS PASSED INTO THIS LEGISLATURE.

TREMENDOUS I THINK BILLS FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

I THINK IS THAT GOING TO BE WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS.

CHAD IS RIGHT.

I A LOT OF BILLS THAT GOT LEFT ON THE TABLE.

YOU LISTEN TO PEOPLE SPEED READING THROUGH BILLS.

>> DOESN'T GIVE VOTERS A LOT OF CONFIDENCE.

MAY QUESTION IS, WHY DO WE NEED TO DO THIS?

THERE WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED THIS SESSION TO MOVE TO A CONTINUOUS LEGISLATURE.

HAWAII'S LEGISLATURE ALREADY PRETTY PROFESSIONALIZED.

LEGISLATORS ARE COMPENSATED FAIRLY WELL.

FAIRLY LARGE STAFF.

COMPARED TO STATES LIKE WYOMING OR NEW MEXICO BARELY ANYONE THERE.

I GUESS I THINK QUESTION I WOULD OFFER TO THE GROUP, WHY NOT MOVE TO CONTINUOUS SESSION MEET EVERY MONTH.

MAYBE INCREASE LEGISLATIVE SALARIES OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT.

LEAD TO MORE RATIONALE WAY TO REVIEW THE BILLS, GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN.

I THINK ALSO, HELP THE PUBLIC FEEL LIKE THE PROCESS IS A LITTLE MORE TRANSPARENT.

THING CONCERNS ME.

DEADLINES CAN BE USEFUL.

SURE, WHEN THE PUBLIC SEES WHAT WE'VE CALLED CATTLE CALL, I THINK THAT IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM LESS FAITH IN THE PROCESS.

>>Daryl: LONE REPUBLICAN BEING NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CATTLE CALL.

LONE REPUBLICAN.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT LABEL ON THE SESSION AS CHAOTIC?

>> I WOULD SAY, SAID THIS BEFORE.

PROBABLY HAS BEEN THE MOST INSANE SESSION THAT I'VE BEEN A PART OF IN MY NOW 11 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS TO THAT.

TALK ABOUT PROCESS.

I'VE BEEN ADVOCATE FOR WORKING ON THE PROCESS AND CULTURE OF THE BUILDING SINCE I FIRST BEEN ELECTED.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS IS 50% OF OUR LEGISLATURE IS IN THEIR FIRST OR SECOND TERM.

IN THE HOUSE.

NEWEST LEGISLATURE THAT WE'VE HAD.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL GETTING UP TO SPEED.

MANY OF OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS, THEIR FIRST TIME EVER BEING A COMMITTEE CHAIR.

FOR THE END, I REMEMBER THE FIRST WEEK OF CONFERENCE, WE DID NOTHING.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE EVERYTHING GOT BUNCHED UP AT THE END.

SO THERE IS A LOT TO TALK ABOUT PROCESS.

BUT THERE'S SO MANY FACTORS I THINK THAT WENT INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>Daryl: SPEAKER SAIKI LET YOU RESPOND.

PUT IT IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION.

WHAT DID HAPPEN?

DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING IT HAPPEN AGAIN?

>> ADMIT IT WAS CHAOTIC FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

NOT FIRST TIME HAD A CATTLE CALL DURING CONFERENCE PERIOD.

PAST 7 YEARS.

BEEN ABLE TO AVOID CATTLE CALL.

PRIOR TO THAT, IT WAS IT DID OCCUR BEFORE.

THIS ONE I THINK HAD MORE BILLS AT STAKE IN THIS TIME.

WHAT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY, THAT AFTERNOON, WAS I CALLED COACH.

PRESIDENT KOUCHI.

WE'RE FRIENDS.

WE'RE FINE.

WE SPOKE AT ABOUT 10:00 IN THE MORNING.

MONITORING BILLS.

BILL FLOW.

REALIZED THAT THERE WERE A BUNCH OF BILLS THAT GOING TO BE BUNCHED UP TOWARDS THE END OF THE DAY.

SO COUPLE HOURS, WE SAID WE WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT SITUATION.

COUPLE HOURS LATER SPOKE AGAIN, DECIDED TO CONVENE ALL OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES IN A SINGLE ROOM, MEANT TO PROVIDE SOME COORDINATION THAT DAY SO YOU DIDN'T HAVE 50 NEW CONFERENCE COMMITTEES MEETING AFTER 4:30 P.M. >>Daryl: WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE.

>> RIGHT.

CONSOLIDATE EVERYBODY IN ONE ROOM STARTING AT 4:30.

>>Daryl: PRESIDENT KOUCHI, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT THAT SITUATION?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, SPEAKER SAID IS ACCURATE TIMELINE.

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PROCESS AT LEAST IN MY CHAMBER, IS TO HAVE ANTICIPATED MAYBE IF WE GOT HERE, WHAT LEADERSHIP THINK ABOUT IT, OR IDEALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE CAUCUS.

ON NONE OF THAT OCCURRED.

SPEAKER AND I TALKED.

ON BEHALF OF SENATE, I MADE A DECISION WORKING WITH SPEAKER, THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE A LOT OF GOOD BILLS POTENTIALLY DIE.

GO TO THE CATTLE CALL.

NO ONE SHOULD LOOK AT ANYBODY ELSE IN THE SENATE BUT ME FOR THE DECISION TO DO THE CATTLE CALL.

I GOT VERY LITTLE ATTENTION TO PAID TO COMMENTS THAT I WAS MAKING AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

MOST OF THE FOCUS WAS ABOUT THE GOVERNOR, HIS NEW CABINET, WHO WAS GOING TO BE LEADING THE GOVERNOR.

WHAT WAS THE GOVERNOR'S RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HOUSE SPEAKER, WITH MYSELF, AND I KEPT TRYING TO SAY AT THOSE BEFORE SESSION MEETINGS, WHAT REALLY IS GOING TO BE CHALLENGING IN MY OPINION IS EXACTLY WHAT THE MINORITY LEADER SAID.

HOW WERE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS GOING TO WORK BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

IN MY CHAMBER, IT'S SENATOR TANIGUCHI NISHIHARA AND BAKER RETIRING.

90 YEARS OF LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE RETIRING.

ELECTED GOVERNOR BEING ELECTED, SHE AND SENATOR DELA CRUZ MONEY CHAIR, WORK TOGETHER FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND SO THERE WAS A LEVEL OF TRUST.

THERE WAS A BUDGET DOCUMENT THAT THEY KEPT BUILDING ON YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>>Daryl: I'M GOING TO, I THINK THAT'S A REALLY VALID POINT.

YOU SAW NOT GOING TO CALL IT DECAPITATION.

CHANGES PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE SIDE.

GO TO ANOTHER QUESTION THAT KIND OF GOES TO THE HEART OF THIS I THINK.

DO YOU THINK ARE INEQUITIES IN THE PROCESS.

WOULD YOU EVER CONTINUE LEVELING PLAYING FIELD.

FROM WAIKIKI.

IS THIS PROCESS REALLY THE RESULT OF INEQUITY OF POWER.

CERTAIN SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER AND LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T?

>> PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE POWER, TWO OF THEM ARE SITTING HERE IN THIS ROOM.

AND THE OTHER TWO ARE THE MONEY CHAIRS.

YAMASHITA AND DONOVAN DELA CRUZ CARING ON WAM.

RESPECT WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE PROCESS AND NEW LEADERSHIP.

SOME OF THESE BILLS PARTICULARLY BY THE JUDICIARY CHAIRS, RHOADS.

WAITING FOR RELEASE FROM SIGN OFF FROM WAM AND COULDN'T GET IT.

TOOK 2 MONTHS TO GET THERE.

THIS CLOSE.

MYSTERIOUSLY KILLED FOR NO GOOD REASON.

BILL THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS DOLLAR AMOUNTS WERE AGREED TO.

SUDDENLY CHANGED DAW DRAMATICALLY THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

YOU DO NEED TO REDUCE THE POWER OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

>> I MEAN, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A BAD IDEA TO ME.

THINK CROSS NATIONALLY HAWAII HAS PARTICULARLY POWERFUL FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE SPEAKER SENATE PRESIDENT CAN CORRECT ME, NOTION THAT EVERY BILL HAS TO BE RELEASED FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

I'M NOT SURE THAT'S TRUE AMONG MANY STATE LEGISLATORS.

DOESN'T SEEM TO CREATE EXTRA DETAIL POINT.

THINGS CAN GET REALLY CLOGGED UP AT THE END.

I DO THINK THAT SENATE PRESIDENT IS RIGHT.

PART OF THIS WAS DUE TO THE INEXPERIENCE.

I'VE HEARD A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE IN PARTICULAR.

CRITICIZE THE NEW HOUSE FINANCE CHAIR KYLE YAMASHITA.

SYLVIA LUKE AND DONOVAN DELA CRUZ WORK TOGETHER.

LUKE MASTER OF DETAILS.

DELA CRUZ, ART OF THE POSSIBLE AND KNOWING WHAT HIS MEMBERS WANTS.

PART OF THIS WAS DUE TO INEXPERIENCE.

>> ONE OF THE AREAS WORKING ON IMPROVEENING THE HOUSING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CHAIR, LEADERSHIP, BETWEEN THE MEMBERS.

SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

I THINK LACK OF COMMUNICATION ON FRIDAY KIND OF LED TO SOME OF THE CHAOS THAT WE SAW.

>>Daryl: HAD A QUESTION OF THE, WHAT IS A CATTLE CALL?

I THOUGHT WE EXPLAINED IT PRETTY WELL.

IDEA IS EVERYBODY GOES TO THE SAME PLACE.

COWS GO TO THE BARN.

ANYBODY KNOW ORIGIN OF THAT AS APPLIED TO THE SENATE LEGISLATURE?

>> NO.

>>Daryl: TERM OF ART?

>> MORE AGRARIAN ECONOMY.

PROBABLY HAD SOME GOOD RANCHERS IN THE LEGISLATURE COWS IN IT.

>> DON'T WANT TO ASK THE MINORITY MEMBER ABOUT THE POWER DIFFERENTS?

>>Daryl: PLEASE.

GO AHEAD YOU GUYS CAN JUMP IN ANY TIME YOU WANT.

>> WE HAVE THE MOST UNBALANCED LEGISLATURE IN THE ENTIRE NATION.

I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND THEIR POWER, SOMEONE IN THE SUPERMINORITY SEES BILLS DIE YEAR AFTER YEAR GETTING PASSED BY SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> I'M HAPPY THEY GET PASSED.

BRINGING AROUND NEW CULTURE.

FOR YEARS, WORKING ON THAT.

>> NOT JUST KILL REPUBLICAN BILLS.

SPEAKER TALKED ABOUT THAT.

BEEN OVER THE YEARS TRADITION.

I'M HOPING WE CAN REALLY WORK BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY NEW MEMBERS.

NOT TO HAVE SOME OF THAT POWER DYNAMIC WITH THE CHAIRS WHERE WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO HEAR REPUBLICAN BILL IS NOT GOING TO PASS THEM OUT.

POSSIBILITY TO CHANGE HAD A DYNAMIC AND SHIFT IT A LITTLE BIT.

EVEN WE ARE THE SUPERMINORITY.

>>WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CHANCES FOR THEVBEST YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS IN A LONG TIME IN ELECTIONS?

DO YOU EXPECT IT'S GOING TO BE GET BETTER?

THE STATE?

>> OF COURSE IT IS.

>>Daryl: IN THE NUMBERS.

>> YES, I DO THINK IT IS.

BEEN INTERESTING IN THE LAST YEAR TO SEE THE SHIFT ON THE WEST SIDE.

I THINK WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT, TALKING ABOUT CAMPAIGNS, THERE HAS BEEN I DO THINK THERE'S A POSSIBILITY AND I DO THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME BALANCE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE DIFFERENT VOICE.

>> THINK WE'RE GOING TO PICK UP A FEW SEATS.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT 8 REPUBLICANS, TWO IN THE SENATE, TWO IN THE HOUSE.

ONE OF OUR OWN MEMBERS CHALLENGED OTHER FIVE.

USED CULT DESCRIBE MINORITY.

DON'T THINK WE GOT A SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

>>Daryl: I DON'T THINK SENATOR LOST HIS JOB YET.

>> MINORITY LEADER.

>> MINORITY LEADER.

MAYBE ONE DAY, PROBABLY NOT.

>>Daryl: GET INSIDE BASEBALL NOW.

WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

WE MIGHT AS WELL GO THERE.

TELL US WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT?

>> THIS WAS A STORY BY KEVIN DAYTON.

COLLEAGUE AT CIVIL BEAT.

CONCERNS KANANI SOUZA.

NEW TO THE STATE HOUSE.

AND HAVING SOME DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND SOME OF THE BILLS AN SOME OF THE POWER.

I'M SURE MINOR LEADER COULD EXPLAIN BETTER HER CONCERNS.

I THINK EVEN SOME TALK THAT SHE MIGHT FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THE WORD CULT WAS USED.

>> DIRECT QUOTE FROM REPRESENTATIVE SOUZA.

FAIRLY OR NOT, CERTAINLY ARE ELEMENTS IN THE REPUBLICAN MINORITY CAUCUS THAT ARE VERY OPINIONATED IN TERMS OF THEIR BELIEFS.

>>Daryl: PUT THE QUESTION TO YOU AS WELL.

BECAUSE I MEAN I THINK EVEN OBJECTIVELY, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOUR MORE CONSERVATIVE RELIGIOUS MEMBERS WERE SAYING ON THE FLOOR WERE SHOCKING TO PEOPLE.

DENY TRANSGENDERED EXISTS.

THAT THEY EXISTS AND CLAIMING THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR SUPPORTING THOSE PARTS OF OUR POPULATION.

HOW HARD IS IT FOR YOU AS A LEADER TO WORK WITH THIS KIND OF DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS AND HOW DO YOU FEEL SOME OF THE THINGS THEY SAID ON THE FLOOR?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY'RE DENYING ANY OF THOSE THINGS EXIST.

GO FROM THE DIRECTION OF WHAT MY PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN.

AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR IN THE MINORITY LEADER ROLE.

I HAVE NEVER PUT MY NAME IN BEFORE.

BUT THIS YEAR I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE HAD FOUR NEW MEMBERS.

AGAIN, I TALK ABOUT CULTURE.

CHANGING THAT, CHANGING DIRECTION, REALLY LAYING THAT FOUNDATION OF WHAT THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CAN BE.

SO MY PHILOSOPHY FOR LEADERSHIP IS I DON'T TRY TO CONTROL ANY OF MY MEMBERS.

THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT ON THE FLOOR.

ELECTED OUT OF THEIR OWN RIGHT.

SO THEY'RE SAYING WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY AND THEY HAVE TO OWN UP TO THAT IN NOVEMBER, NEXT NOVEMBER, AND SO I DON'T TRY TO CONTROL WHAT THEY SAY.

ACTUALLY, MY STATEMENT ON THAT I'VE SAID MANY TIMES, MOST COHESIVE CAUCUS THAT I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED IN MY ENTIRE DECADE IS NOT FALSE.

WORK REALLY WELL TOGETHER.

EVEN WITH REPRESENTATIVES SOUZA OPTING OUT.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN HER CHOICE.

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO MEET WITH US.

THE DOOR WAS ALWAYS OPEN.

I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY CLEAR FROM THE GET‑GO.

SHE CAN VOTE HOWEVER SHE LIKES AND SAY WHATEVER SHE WOULD LIKE TO SAY.

>> I SAID THIS LAUREN BEFORE.

BEEN A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AND I SUPPORT HER 100%.

AS A REPUBLICAN LEADER.

I WANT TO, WE'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER.

TO MAKE HER CAUCUS WORK AS WELL AS MY CAUCUS.

I THINK WHAT SHE'S EXPERIENCING IS WHAT I EXPERIENCED WHERE YOU HAVE A CAUCUS WHERE YOU ARE SEEING DEMOGRAPHIC AND GENERATIONAL SHIFTS OCCURRING.

THAT'S HAPPENING ON BOTH SIDES.

>>Daryl: PROFESSOR MOORE, GIVE ME CONTEXT.

OF ALL OF THIS.

COMPARE IT TO YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE AND SO ON.

>> FOR THE REPUBLICANS?

>>Daryl: YES.

WELL JUST THINGS THAT WERE SAID, THINGS THAT HAPPENED.

IN THIS LEGISLATURE.

>> I MEAN, IN TERMS OF REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, I DO THINK YOU SEE A DIVIDE THAT YOU SEE NATIONALLY.

SORT OF MORE PRAGMATISTS.

PUT OUR REPRESENTATIVE MATSUMOTO IN THAT CAMP.

PEOPLE REALLY TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

CONCERNED ABOUT ETHICS.

CULTURAL CONSERVATIVES MAYBE MORE LIKE REPRESENTATIVE PEER ECHOING I THINK A LOT OF THE CULTURE MORE POLITICS WE'VE SEEN ON THE MAINLAND.

HAWAII REPUBLICANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON CRITICIZING DEMOCRATS, NOT ALWAYS BELOVED IN THIS STATE.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAII.

FOCUS ON GOOD GOVERNMENT.

ANTI‑CORRUPTION ISSUES.

ALWAYS BEEN THEIR STRENGTH.

OFFER VOTERS ALTERNATIVE.

WHEN SHE STARTS TO GO DOWN THE ROAD OF CULTURE WAR POLITICS, TURNS OFF A LOT OF VOTERS.

OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT MORE REPUBLICANS.

SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

VOTERS WANTS TO HEAR THEM FOCUS ON ISSUES LIKE COST OF LIVING.

>> THINGS LIKE THAT, NOT CULTURE WAR.

>>Daryl: SPEAKING FOCUSING ON ISSUES.

START DOING THAT.

HECTOR IN HALEIWA.

15,000 RESIDENTS MOVED FROM HAWAII.

WHAT IS BEING DONE BY THE LEGISLATURE TO STOP PEOPLE FROM FROM LEAVING?

PRIMARY ISSUE FOR YOU?

>> WELL, SEVERAL AREAS FIRST OF ALL, BILLION DOLLARS INVESTMENT TO HAVE ARRAY OF HOMES THAT HOPEFULLY RESIDENTS CAN AFFORD.

I THINK THE HIGH COST OF HOUSING IS GREATEST IMPEDIMENT TO RETAINING OR RECRUITING EMPLOYEES.

ASSISTANCE THAT WAS APPROVED TO HELP THE A.L.I.C.E.

FAMILIES HOPEFULLY, WILL PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF OUR RESIDENTS.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY, BUT THAT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

I THINK ONE OF THE AREAS I'VE ADVOCATED FOR STRENUOUSLY IS IN OUR PARK RESERVATIONS SYSTEM.

THAT WE SHOULD HAVE LINKS TO BUY MADE IN HAWAII.

AND AS VISITORS COMING AND USING OUR FACILITIES, THEY WOULD OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING BY SMALL CRAFTS PEOPLE.

ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THEY SHOULD BE BENEFITING FROM THE TOURISTS THAT COME HERE.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STEPS TOWARDS THIS IN COST OF LIVING OR DIVERSIFICATION?

>> SESSION BEGAN, ONE OF THE MESSAGES THAT THE HOUSE SENT WE WANTED TO USE THE SURPLUS TO CAPITALIZE FUNDS WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENT.

THAT COULD HELP WORKING FAMILIES.

EVERYTHING THAT THE SENATE PRESIDENT MENTIONED.

ONE OTHER ITEM THAT I WOULD ADD IS APPROPRIATION THAT WE NEED FOR A PROGRAM CALLED GEMS.

IT WAS $100 MILLION APPROPRIATION.

GEMS WAS SET UP MAYBE ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.

STATE PROGRAM.

BASICALLY FUND THAT IS USED TO HELP FINANCE PROGRAMS FOR LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS.

$100 MILLION THAT WE APPROPRIATED FOR GEMS WILL BE USED TO ASSIST THE RESIDENTS, LOW INCOME RESIDENTS, IN OBTAINING SOLAR, PV AND BATTERY SYSTEMS AT THEIR HOMES CAPITALIZED.

>>Daryl: LOANS?

>> ISSUES LOANS TO FAMILIES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR CONVENTIONAL LOANS OR FINANCING.

PAY AS YOU FOR SYSTEM.

OVER 20 YEARS.

THIS GEMS APPROPRIATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK GEMS IS ALL GOING TO BE IN A POSITION TO OBTAIN MAYBE UP TO $200 MILLION IN MATCHING FUNDS.

YOU HAVE A $300 MILLION FUND SET THERE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BENEFIT 10,000 LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF YOU HAVE A PV SYSTEM ON YOUR ROOFTOP, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE PAYING YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL ANY MORE.

COULD BE FOR FAMILIES, UP TO 300, $400 A MONTH.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG GAME CHANGER FOR THEM.

>>Daryl: WHAT THINGS DID YOU SEE THAT THEY DID THAT COULD IMPACT THIS?

>> I LIKE THE MILLIONS GOING TO KAUHALE.

TINY HOMES DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE A INCENTIVE TO LIVE HERE OR COME HERE.

THAT SHOWING PROGRESS.

>> HOUSE AND THE SENATE I WOULD AGREE WITH MINORITY AS WELL, AND THE GOVERNOR, REALLY WERE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN THIS CAME TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

TAX CREDITS.

TAX INCENTIVES TO HELP PEOPLE EARN INCOME TAX CREDIT.

NOT SEXY WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO HELP PEOPLE.

A.L.I.C.E.

PEOPLE.

POPULATION GROWING AND GROWING AND GROWING.

TAKE A WHILE.

SOME OF THE GOOD STORIES OUT OF THE LEDGE.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK PROGRESS WAS MADE THERE?

>> I THINK WE PASSED A LOT OF GOOD BILLS.

HOUSING, DOUBLING EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT ONE OF MY FAVORITE BILLS.

>> WE DID SOME GREAT THINGS WITH PRESCHOOL AS WELL.

BECAUSE TRUST ME, I HAVE A FIVE‑YEAR‑OLD AND THREE‑YEAR‑OLD.

>> KNOW HOW MUCH PRESCHOOL COSTS.

REALLY DIFFICULT.

I THINK WE COULD HAVE TAKEN IT A STEP FURTHER.

WANTED TO SEE US LISTEN, HAVE A HEARING ON THE BILL TO ELIMINATE G.E.T.

FOOD AND MEDICAL SERVICE.

>> SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR GREEN TALKED ABOUT DURING HIS CAMPAIGN.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE REPUBLICANS PUT IN THE BILL FOR DECADES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED FAMILIES IMMEDIATELY.

DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT TAX CREDIT.

IMMEDIATE RELIEF.

APPLIES TO EVERYBODY.

DON'T HAVE GO THROUGH ANY HOOPS TO GET IT.

IT HAPPENS JUST AS SHOPPING.

>>Daryl: CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT WE DID, WHAT PROCESS WENT THROUGH WITH THE TAX SYSTEM?

IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT REALLY DRAMATIC TAX REFORM.

IN THE END, DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT WAS ALL THAT DRAMATIC.

>> NOT AS DRAMATIC OR AGGRESSIVE AS GOVERNOR GREEN PROPOSED FULL PLAN.

PROVIDED LITTLE MORE RELIEF TO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES.

WHAT WAS DONE IS PREPRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

LET ME GIVE YOU IDEA HOW THIS ACTUALLY AFFECTS PEOPLE'S DAY‑TO‑DAY LIVES.

EITC, DEPENDENT CARE TAX CREDIT.

IMAGINE SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 KIDS MAKING $45,000 A YEAR.

A LOT OF FAMILIES LOOK LIKE THAT HERE.

$5,000 ON CHILD CARE.

NOT ATYPICAL.

WHAT THE LEDGE JUST DID THIS SESSION GOING TO REDUCE HER TAX LIABILITY BY $1,300.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

20 TANKS OF GAS.

>> REAL RELIEF.

TOOK A LOT FOR THE LEDGE TO WARM UP TO THE EITC.

PROPOSED A LOT OF TIMES.

NOW, I THINK WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST OVER THE LAST FEW SESSIONS DEVELOPED WHAT I THINK TALKING TO SPEAKER ABOUT THIS, THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS STATE LEVEL EITC IN THE COUNTRY NOW.

WHETHER IT'S FIRST OR FOURTH.

NOT SURE.

INCREDIBLY GENEROUS.

POLICIES ARE PUTTING REAL MONEY IN THE POCKETS WORKING FAMILIES.

>> THINK HAWAII RANKED FOURTH WHEN IT COMES TO TO EITC.

COULD IMPACT OR COULD HELP 200,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

>>Daryl: DOESN'T OUR EXCISE TAX TAKE THAT WHOLE PROGRESSIVE MOVE AND FLY RIGHT IN A THE FACE OF IT SINCE TAX IS SO REGRESSIVE.

>> COUPLE YEARS AGO.

LEGISLATURE MADE IT MORE REFUNDABLE.

GREATER REBATE TO THESE FAMILIES.

>>Daryl: DO YOU SEE REVISITING, GIVEN END OF THE SESSION, SAID THAT THERE WAS $500 MILLION CARRYOVER.

$500 MILLION PUT INTO THE RAIN DAY FUND AS WELL.

SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF MONEY LEFT ON THE TABLE AT THE END OF SESSION.

DO YOU SEE REVISITING THAT AND LOOKING DOWN THE LINE INTO MORE TAX RELIEF?

>> EMAIL GOING TO YESTERDAY, SAID BASED ON WHAT WE DID 2028, STATE WILL BE $48 MILLION IN THE RED.

WE BUDGET ON A 6 YEAR CYCLE.

NOT ANNUAL.

PASSED BIENNIUM BUDGET.

WE NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR SIX YEARS.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK.

I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS MUCH CONFUSION.

GOVERNOR GREEN MADE HIS STATEMENT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE.

SPEAKER AND I IMMEDIATELY SAID THE SAME THING.

>> CONCERNED TO HAVE A SIMPLE MECHANISM AND WE WERE CONCERNED IN HELPING A.L.I.C.E.

FAMILIES FIRST AND FOREMOST.

NEVER WAIVERED FROM PURSUING THAT.

HAPPY TO REVISIT IT IF WE HAVE A STRENGTHENING ECONOMY AND WE CAN GO IN THAT DIRECTION.

I'M OPEN TO LOOK AT IT.

WHAT WE WOUND UP DOING THIS YEAR WE'VE BEEN CONSISTENT WHAT THE SPEAKER AND I HAVE BEEN SAYING.

>>Daryl: 15 SECONDS ON TAX REFORM.

>> 15 SECONDS IS TOO MUCH.

BUT THANK YOU.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER THING THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME STRIDES ON WAS HEALTH CARE.

THE CHANGE IN THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS FOR DOCTORS.

SUPPLY TUITION REPAYMENT FOR DOCTORS.

SPEAKER, WHY SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON HEALTH CARE THIS YEAR?

>> TOTAL COMMITMENT TO RECRUITMENT, TRAINING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF DOCTORS IN HAWAII.

BEEN HEARING FOR YEARS THERE'S IS A PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE IN HAWAII.

ESPECIALLY ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLAND AND RURAL AREA.

WANTED TO YOU THINK WHERE GOVERNOR GREEN PROVIDED SOME LEADERSHIP AS WE WELL.

BROUGHT TO THE TABLE PROPOSALS TO INCREASE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS HELP WITH THE LOAN PROGRAM.

OTHER PROGRAM THAT WE APPROVE IS EXPANDED ACT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

>>Daryl: WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> GOING TO ENABLE JUDICIARY TO HELP MAKE REFERRALS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BROUGHT TO COURT WOULD HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT INVESTMENT INTO THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM AS WELL.

VERY MOST OF THE HOSPITALS ARE OLDER AND SO WE WANTED TO BE SURE THAT THEY WOULD STAND UP AND GOING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, SEEING OUR SYSTEM STRESSED AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE HEALTH CARE AND RESIDENTS NEED AND DESERVE, MOTIVATED THE INVESTMENT.

>>Daryl: YOU MENTIONED PRESCHOOL THING.

WHAT ELSE WAS DONE FOR EDUCATION THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE NOTICED?

>> BEFORE WE GET THAT, ONE OF MY FAVORITE BILLS WAS THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL COMPACT LICENSURE BILL.

FOR OUT OF STATE DOCTORS TO BE ABLE TO WORK HERE.

TALKING ABOUT THE PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE, I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS CRUCIAL TO REALLY HELPING AS WELL TELEHEALTH WE PASSED SOME GREAT THINGS.

TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION, I DO THINK THAT PRESCHOOL WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST GAME CHANGERS.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS NOW FOR 3‑YEAR‑OLDS.

IF NOBODY HAD SOMEBODY IN PRESCHOOL, FOR A WHILE, I CAN TELL YOU FOR ONE KID, IT'S ABOUT $15,000 TO $20,000 A YEAR.

IF YOU HAVE TWO KIDS IN PRESCHOOL, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALMOST $40,000 A YEAR FOR YOUR KIDS GOING TO PRESCHOOL.

SO INCREASING ACCESS AS WELL.

SO INCREASING SUPPLY OF PRESCHOOLS.

MY SON IN, NUMBER 50 ON THE WAIT LIST.

JUST SUPPLY OF PRESCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE.

I KNOW IF YOU DON'T HAVE LITTLE KIDS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

I THINK THAT BILL WAS A HUGE WIN FOR THE LEGISLATURE FOR EDUCATION.

>>Daryl: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT EDUCATION ISSUES.

>> SCRATCHING MY HEAD OVER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BUDGET.

MONEY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, AND MONEY FOR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, MONEY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

DRASTIC CUTS.

HAWAII STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

HEARD FROM YOU THERE WILL BE MONEY FOR D.O.E.

MENTIONED, SLUSH FUND.

WAS MONEY CUT FOR U.H.

AND D.O.E.?

>> LOOKING AT ME.

>>Daryl: LOOKED AT YOU.

>> BUDGET APPROVED BY BOTH.

BOTH OF YOU.

WHAT I HEAR ON FLOOR FROM FOLKS, HOW CAN YOU DEFUND SO IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS NO GREATER INSTITUTIONS U.H.

AND D.O.E., BY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I'M UNCLEAR BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THOSE BUDGET HAS BEEN POST COMPLETELY YET ONLINE.

HAS IT YET?

>> NO.

BUDGET WORKSHEETS WILL PROBABLY BE AVAILABLE ON MONDAY.

MONDAY AFTERNOON.

>> WERE THERE CUTS?

>> ON THAT FRIDAY, D.O.E.

CAME IN AND SAID, THEY WERE SHORT $57 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BUDGET.

$57 MILLION WAS BASED UPON DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD REQUESTED IN HIS BUDGET FOR D.O.E., VERSUS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DOLLARS, D.O.E.

'S BUDGET IS DOLLAR WISE, IS HIGHER.

HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

IT WILL BE HIGHER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT $57 MILLION SHORTFALL WAS BASED UPON.

>>Daryl: COMPARING TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> GOVERNOR'S REQUEST.

LEGISLATURE, WE DON'T ALWAYS APPROVE WHAT THE GOVERNOR, ANY GOVERNOR REQUESTS.

THROUGH THEIR BUDGET REQUEST.

SO THAT IS AN AREA WHERE I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT ONCE WE APPROVE THE BUDGET, THE BUDGET THEN GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING AND EXECUTING THE BUDGET.

GOVERNOR HAS A NUMBER OF TOOLS AVAILABLE TO MAKE UP FOR SHORTFALLS.

IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNOR AT THIS POINT TO MANAGE FINANCING.

>>Daryl: AS I RECALL, END OF SESSION, WE TALKED TO SENATOR KIDANI AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF OTHER ITEMS IN THE BUDGET THAT EVEN IF IT WASN'T ADEQUATELY FUNDED FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION BUDGET, THERE WERE OTHER NEW THINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT KIND OF MAKES UP AND HELPS SUPPORT EDUCATION IN OTHER WAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, TEACHER HOUSING.

>> THERE WAS $170 MILLION AND THERE WERE THREE PARCELS IDENTIFIED WITH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE READY TO GO IN MILILANI, WAIPAHU.

AND NANAKULI.

THE REST OF US ARE LOOKING IN OUR DISTRICTS FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE READY TO GO.

AND THE COST OF HOUSING JUST TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO MET WITH DANNY HAMADA, SUPERINTENDENT ON KAUAI, AND HE LOST 28 TEACHERS BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WOULD WANTED TO COME AND COULD NOT FIND HOUSING TO MAKE THAT WORK.

SO THAT INVESTMENT IS CRITICAL TO HAVING ENOUGH TEACHERS IN HER SCHOOLS.

SENATOR KIDANI SAID IF YOU LOOK AT THE WEIGHTED STUDENT FORMULA.

AMOUNT OF MONEY WE SPEND ON EACH STUDENT IN INDIVIDUAL CLASSROOM, MORE MONEY IN THE WEIGHTED STUDENT FORMULA THIS YEAR THAN THERE WAS LAST YEAR.

SOME OF THE REDUCTIONS ARE BECAUSE UTILITY COSTS HAVE RISEN.

SOME OF IT IS CUTS ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE.

BUT THE BUDGET THAT IS CRAFTED THINK IT WILL BEAR OUT IN WORKSHEETS, WE WANT IT TO BE SURE THE STUDENTS ARE GETTING WHAT THEY NEED.

>>Daryl: HOW DO YOU FEEL EDUCATION FAIRED IN THIS LEGISLATION?

>> NOT AS WELL AS AT LEAST I WOULD HAVE HOPED FOR.

>>Daryl: YOU WORK AT U.H.

>> I WORK AT U.H.

YEAH.

SURE.

I'LL TALK ABOUT MY OWN EMPLOYER HERE.

I DO THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF DISAPPOINTMENT AT U.H.

HOPING FOR GENEROUS IF YOU HAD FUNDING GIVEN SURPLUS.

FULL HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.

EXPANDING THAT.

TO COVER IN‑STATE TUITION FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS.

>> DISAPPOINTMENT CERTAIN U.H.

MANOA FULL FUNDING WASN'T TOTALLY RESTORED.

SOME EXPECTATION UNIVERSITY WOULD GET MORE MONEY.

MORE GENEROUS THAN CONFERENCE DRAFT ENDED UP.

SHARED DISAPPOINTMENT.

DISAPPOINTMENT HOW SOME OF THE CIP PROJECTS ALLOCATED MORE TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES, FEWER TO MANOA.

>>Daryl: MOVE ON TO THE TOURISM SITUATION.

IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO GO AND BLOW IT UP.

DIDN'T TURN IT OUT.

>> I WAS IN THAT CONFERENCE ROOM.

SHAWN QUINLAN ON YOUR SIDE AND LYNN DECOITE.

>>Daryl: BOTH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU AND I WERE TALKING.

JOHN DEFREES WAS THERE FROM HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

NOT A FRIENDLY CONVERSATION.

BOTH OF THEM WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED.

NOT AN AGREEMENT REACHED ON ESSENTIALLY DISSOLVING HTA AND CREATING A NEW ENTITY WITHIN DBEDT.

AT THE SAME TIMING FUNDING CHANGED.

LAST YEAR FUNDING MECHANISM WAS CHANGED.

>> SOUNDS LIKE GOVERNOR WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW SOME MONEY, PERHAPS 30 MILLION.

HTA GETTING 60 MILLION.

CONTRACTS ARE GOING FORWARD.

THAT WAS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT JUST SORT DOMINATED A LOT OF THE CONVERSATIONS.

STAR ADVERTISER ALONE PROBABLY PUBLISHED DOZEN OF STORIES ABOUT THAT.

AT THE END, NO AGREEMENT REACHED.

LESS MONEY FOR AGENCY MARKET IT'S FOR OUR GREAT INDUSTRY.

>>Daryl: WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE HTA?

BOTH SIDES WANT TO THE DO SOMETHING.

DIDN'T LOOK THAT FAR APART TO ME.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, LAST QUARTER MILE IS HARDEST DISTANCE TO COVER.

THINK WHAT IS REFLECTED LARGER DEBATE HAPPENING COMMUNITY.

TOURISM IS THE LARGEST DRIVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

EXPECTATION FROM THE RESIDENTS ABOUT TOURISM DRIVING EVERYTHING AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYONE ELSE, IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO ACCEPT AFTER BIG COVID TIMEOUT THAT WE HAD.

REGENERATIVE TOURISM.

IMPORTANT.

MALAMA HAWAII AND CULTURAL ASPECT IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK BACK TO FORMER MEYER YUKIMURA, USED TO SAY KEEP KAUAI KAUAI.

AND WHEN YOU ASKED WHAT DID THAT MEAN, EVERYBODY HAD THEIR OWN OPINION ON WHAT KEEPING KAUAI KAUAI WAS.

SO WHAT IS MALAMA HAWAII?

INABILITY TO COME TOGETHER JUST SHOWS THAT EVERYBODY HAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT VIEW OF WHAT THAT SHOULD BE AND WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>>Daryl: I THINK THE OTHER COMPONENT WAS GREEN FEE.

>> AGAIN, NO PUN INTENDED, PRIORITY OF GOVERNOR AND.

>>Daryl: INTENDED.

>> OKAY.

IT WAS INTENDED.

SESSION IS OVER.

THAT WAS ANOTHER BILL THAT DIED IN THE WANING HOURS AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE AINA.

AND PROTECT THE ONLY RESOURCES WE REALLY HAVE.

AND AGAIN, THAT DOMINATED DISCUSSION AS WELL.

DIFFERENCES DOLLAR FIGURES BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR, HOUSE AN SENATE.

>> LEGISLATURE APPROVED COUPLE OF INITIATIVES.

ONE WAS TO FUND THE CREATION OF STATEWIDE APP THAT WE RUN BY DLNR TO CATEGORIZE ALL OF THE PARKS AND TRAILS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THINK THAT THE APP WILL LEAD, GIVE US INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL LEAD TO CREATION OF GREEN FEE AT SOME POINT.

IT WAS PREMATURE TO CREATE A GREEN FEE.

SO MUCH, HTA SO MANY POINTS OF CONTENTION ABOUT THE GREEN FEE ISSUE.

FOR NOW, SET UP INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH THE APP.

SECOND, LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED $170 MILLION TO DLNR TO IMPROVE OUR PARKS AND TRAILS.

MY IMPRESSION ABOUT THE HTA DEBATE, LEGISLATURE ISN'T QUITE SURE WHERE THEY WANT TO GO WITH TOURISM GOVERNANCE.

IRONY HTA PIVOTED PRETTY DRAMATICALLY DESTINATION MANAGEMENT DIRECTION.

BEING MORE OF A CAREFUL STEWARD OF THE AINA.

TOURISM AND GOVERNANCE COMPLICATE.

YOU NEED COORDINATION ACROSS STATE AGENCIES AND ACROSS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

NO PLACE WE CAN REALLY LOOK TO FINE COMPARABLE OFF THE SHELF EXAMPLE.

HAWAII IS UNIQUE.

HERE, WE CAN LOOK INTERNATIONALLY, CAN'T DO THINGS LIKE PLACES LIKE PALAO CAN DO.

SERIOUS STUDY TOURISM GOVERNANCE MODELS.

WE NEED A BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION LIKE THE ETHICS COMMISSION ON TOURISM GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS THAT THEN CAN BE EXAMINED.

>>Daryl: HTA JUST PASSED SOMETHING LIKE THAT THE OTHER DAY.

>> NOT QUITE ASAMBITIOUS AS I WOULD LIKE.

YES.

>>Daryl: I'M SURE THEY WILL COME UP WITH SOMETHING.

>> UNLIKELY.

>>Daryl: YOU WANTED TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE TOURISM DEBATE?

SHOULD I MOVE ON?

>> I THINK THE ONLY THING I'LL SAY, PART OF THE PART THAT WAS CONFUSING IS WHAT WOULD CHANGE IN THE NAME HAWAII HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO HAWAII DESTINATION MANAGEMENT REALLY DO.

DOESN'T THINK I WAS CLEAR WHAT THE PLAN TRULY WAS.

I HAD HTA COME OUT AND DONE A TOWN HALL IN MY DISTRICT.

WORK THEY HAVE BEEN DOING DESTINATION MANAGEMENT.

HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.

SOME OF THE CONFUSION.

WHAT IS THE PLAN?

IS IT JUST A NAME CHANGE OR SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT?

LOOKING FORWARD WITH THE APP.

WHAT HAPPENS.

>>Daryl: WE DID AN INSIGHT SHOW ON THIS ISSUE.

WHAT THE CONCLUSION SEEMED TO BE PEOPLE HAVE REALLY OVERSIZED EXPECTATION AGENCY CAN REALLY DO.

GOVERNMENT FUNCTION MANAGE TOURISM.

ALOHA STADIUM ASKED BY MAKIKI.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH ALOHA STADIUM?

>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING FORWARD WITH THE BUDGETED AMOUNT.

NOT TO EXCEED $400 MILLION.

GOING TO GET OUTSIDE DEVELOPERS.

>>Daryl: I THOUGHT IT WAS BACK DOWN TO 350.

>> 350.

NOT TO EXCEED 400.

CLOSE ENOUGH.

>>Daryl: GOVERNOR WAS TALKING ABOUT PUTTING SOME MONEY OUT OF HIS SLUSH FUND BUT YOU GUYS HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THIS YET?

>> NO.

GOVERNOR CAN'T.

RESERVE FUND CAN ONLY BE USED FOR GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.

NOT GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION.

>>Daryl: INTERESTING.

OKAY.

SO YOU GUYS STILL, HOUSE, YOU STILL HAVE TO TALK TO THE GOVERNOR ABOUT HOW THE ALOHA STADIUM CONTRACTS MOVE FORWARD.

THAT'S STILL NOT BEEN CONCLUDED?

>> WELL, I THINK GOVERNOR HAS.

>>Daryl: PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

>> GOVERNOR HAS A PLAN TO ISSUE ONE RFP TO CONSTRUCT THE STADIUM AT COST OF $350 MILLION.

HE'LL SEE WHAT KIND OF PROPOSALS COME IN BASED ON THOSE PARAMETERS.

>>Daryl: OTHER QUESTION VERY INTERESTING ALONG THE LINES OF CORRUPTION QUESTION.

CIVIL BEAT.

FEDERAL INVESTIGAVE CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON LEGISLATURE FOR POSSIBLE CORRUPTION CASES.

TALK ABOUT WHERE THAT STANDS AND LET'S ALL TALK ABOUT WHAT LEGISLATURE DID IN THE WAKE OF THE BRIBERY SCANDAL?

>> THAT WAS INDEED REPORTED BY CIVIL BEAT.

THANKS FOR THE PLUG.

STORY RAN THE DAY AFTER SESSION.

AND YES, GIST OF IT IS THAT INVESTIGATIONS TIED TO TY CULLEN, KALANI ENGLISH.

DIDN'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF DETAILS.

THAT IS CONTINUING.

>>Daryl: YOU DID SOMETHING WITH THE PDF TO READ SOMETHING YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO READ.

WHAT YOU GOT OUT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>>Daryl: CONGRATULATIONS.

>> NEGOTIATED WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

EXPLAINED IN THE STORY.

I THINK MAIN POINT IS TIE BACK TO THE COMMISSION TO STANDARDS, SO‑CALLED POLLING COMMISSION.

SOME SIGNIFICANT BILLS THAT DID MAKE IT THROUGH.

SOME REFORM ON LOBBY.

GREATER DISCLOSURE.

HAVE A VOTER'S GUIDE.

DIGITAL.

NOT MAILED TO PEOPLE.

ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.

THAT IS TO THE CREDIT, BUT WE HAD HOPED CIVIL BEAT THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE PROGRESS ON SUNSHINE BILLS.

WE MENTIONED COMPREHENSIVE FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

ANOTHER ONE THAT I THINK WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALSO DIED IN THE WANING HOURS MYSTERIOUSLY ONE, TO REALLY DEDUCE OR WAIVE THE COPYING FEE WITH SOMEONE WANTS TO OBTAIN PUBLIC RECORDS.

RECORDS FIND OUT WHAT THEIR GOVERNMENT IS DOING THAT INCLUDES MEDIA, INCLUDES AVERAGE CITIZENS, THAT DIED.

ANOTHER BILL THAT WAS MONIED UP AS WELL DURING CONFERENCE COMMITTEE PERIOD.

MUCKED.

NO TESTIMONY OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC.

>> ADD SOMETHING?

I LOVE TO REBUT CHAD.

>>Daryl: WE ALL DO.

>> PUBLIC FINANCING, THAT WAS NOT RECOMMENDATION OF THE FULLY COMMISSION.

COMMISSION HAD A DEBATE ON THE EXTENT OF PUBLIC FINANCING.

COULDN'T REACH A CONSENSUS.

NO RECOMMENDATION.

SECOND, ON THE GOVERNMENT RECORD COPYING BILL, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT BILL, REASON WHY IT DIED IN CONFERENCE BECAUSE AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE, ONE OF THE COMMITTEES ADDED IN A PART 2.

>> NEW PART 2 TO THE SECTION THAT WOULD HAVE CREATED WHAT IS CALLED DELIBERATE PROCESS PRIVILEGE.

BY ADDING THAT PART 2 INTO THE BILL, THERE WAS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF CIVIL BEAT'S LAWSUIT.

VERSUS STATE.

THAT PROHIBITS US TO DO THAT.

THAT'S WHY THAT BILL DIED.

>> QUICKLY.

THOSE SUNSHINE BILLS WEREN'T LIMITED TO THE 31 OR 33 FOLEY COMMISSION.

MORE THAN 200.

AND THAT PUBLIC FINANCING BILL ARGUABLY WOULD HAVE MADE THE GREATEST CHANGE MAKING ELECTIONS MORE COMPETITIVE AGAINST INCUMBENTS.

SO MUCH MONEY FOR PACKS, UNIONS, DEVELOPERS AND SO FORTH.

>> FOLEY COMMISSION PROPOSED 33 PROPOSALS, LEGISLATURE APPROVE 26 OF THOSE THROUGH NEW LAWS.

NUMBER OF THEM WE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH OUR RULES.

>>Daryl: I WANT TO ASK LAUREN.

FROM WHAT THOSE NEW LAWS PASSED, NEW RULES, DO YOU SEE IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONDUCT OF LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT IS HE THIS SAY PROOF IS GOING TO BE IN THE PUDDING.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS WE GO THROUGH.

A LOT OF CAMPAIGN SPENDING.

>> TALKED ABOUT THE LOBBYISTS.

SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE MORE DISCUSSION ON IS THE TERM LIMITS.

16 YEAR TERM LIMIT PROPOSED.

AND THEN AGAIN, REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT THE BALANCE OF THE LEGISLATURE IS.

I THINK WHEN YOU'RE SEEING FOR THE CORRUPTION CASES, WITH ONE SIDE IS IN POWER FOR TOO LONG, REALLY GREAT LEGISLATORS.

BUT THEN THERE'S OTHERS WHO FEEL UNTOUCHABLE.

AND END UP DOING THINGS THEY REALLY SHOULDN'T BE DOING.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

GO THROUGH.

A LOT OF TALK A LOT ABOUT THE HOUSE RULES.

LOOKING THROUGH THOSE ISSUES.

SEE IT AS IT COMES OUT THROUGH ELECTION.

>> REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE BACKED EVERY ONE OF THE FOLEY COMMISSION RULES.

>> WE PUT IN EVERY SINGLE ONE.

>> WENT STEP FURTHER.

12 YEAR A TERM LIMIT.

PUT IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE FOLEY COMMISSION.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THAT WE ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO RUN INTO A BRIBERY SCANDAL NOW THAN BEFORE?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY REALIZED THERE IS A LOT MORE ATTENTION ON EVERYTHING.

EVERYBODY IS DOING IT.

EVERY LEVEL.

THEN WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE INSTANTLY AND AT NO COST.

ONE OF THE BIG OBSTACLES WAS SO EXPENSIVE TO GET MESSAGES OUT.

NOW PEOPLE CAN GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT.

WHAT WAS IT HOUSE BILL 676, LOOKED AT GIVING COUNTIES SOME MORE AUTHORITY ON NOT GOING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION, AND HAS THAT GOT CHANGED?

THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS EMAIL TRAFFIC.

ALL CONCERNS RAISE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

AT THE END, CHAMBERS RECOMMITTED BILL AND SAID, WE STILL WANT TO GET TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS QUICKER BUT IT NEEDS TO HAVE BETTER PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

HOPEFULLY, PATH THAT WE GET BUY‑IN AND PEOPLE ARE DILIGENTLY WATCHING EVERYTHING THAT WE BESIDE THE PRESS.

>>Daryl: 30 SECONDS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> SO MY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH PUBLICLY FINANCE ELECTIONS PRETTY MUCH EASILY WENT THROUGH ALL THE COMMITTEES KILLED IN CONFERENCE.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED MORE ROBUST DISCUSSION.

I KNOW THERE WAS CONCERNS ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST.

BUT I THINK THAT AND I KNOW A LOT OF ADVOCATES WERE REALLY DISAPPOINTED IT REALLY SEEMED TO KIND OF MYSTERIOUSLY DIED EVEN AFTER IT MADE ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

>>Daryl: QUESTION IS WHETHER LAWMAKERS WILL EVER MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO RUN AGAINST THEM.

>> SOME STATES DONE IT.

CONNECTICUT DID IT.

OTHER STATES.

>> NOT UNHEARD OF.

>> PUBLIC FINANCING I DID RECEIVE SOME EMAILS FROM PEOPLE.

FROM DEMOCRATS WHO SAID, I DON'T WANT MY TAX DOLLARS FUNDING REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGNS.

VICE VERSA.

SO THIS IS EXACTLY WHY THE FOLEY COMMISSION COULDN'T REACH CONSENSUS ON THIS ISSUE.

>>Daryl: SO I'LL GOING TO KIND OF GO THROUGH SOME QUESTIONS MAY NOT HAVE A LOT OF COHESION FROM QUESTION TO QUESTION.

ALL COMING IN.

WHY DID NO BILLS TO STOP ILLEGAL VACATION RENTALS GO FORWARD?

TOURISM COMMITTEE SEVERAL GOOD BILLS.

DID YOU FOLKS PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO THAT, SPEAKER?

>> IT'S REALLY, COMMON ISSUE.

EVERYBODY FEELS THAT WAY.

>> CITY & COUNTIES ARE MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE NOW.

KAUAI COUNTY HAS LED DURING THIS WINDOW OF ENFORCEMENT.

ALL OF THE COUNTIES HAVE DONE A MUCH BETTER JOB IN THE LAST 2 YEARS ON THIS ISSUE.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER, ECONOMIC DIVERSITY QUESTION.

WE HIGHER PAID FOR LOCALS FILM, TV MUSIC.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS EFFORT TO SUPPORT FILM STUDIO PROJECT, DID THAT GET THROUGH?

THERE WAS A BIG FILM STUDIO TRYING TO GET ENTITLEMENTS.

>> PRIVATE STUDIO.

COMING FROM SOMEBODY WHO GRADUATED FROM ACADEMY FOR CREATIVE MEDIA FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, I MEAN, FILM IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DIVERSIFYING ECONOMY, THAT IS A PLACE WHERE WE REALLY SHOULD START.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER STATES LIKE GEORGIA, HAVE NO CAP ON THEIR TAX CREDIT, NOW WITH AI AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WE'RE NOT HAVING THAT UNIQUE QUALITY ABOUT HAVING THE BACKDROP OF HAWAII.

WE REALLY NEED TO BE MORE ON THE CUTTING EDGE LOOK AT OUR TAX CAP AGAIN AND LOOK AT REALLY HELPING THOSE PRIVATE PRODUCTION STUDIOS WHO WANT TO BUILD A LARGE FILM STUDIO HERE TO HELP THOSE GO THROUGH THE ACADEMY CREATIVE MEDIA GET A JOB AND NOT RUN FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

>>Daryl: YOU KNOW, I'M KIND OF SURPRISED BECAUSE I DON'T THINK GENERALLY PEOPLE ARE THAT INTERESTED IN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

A LOT OF OUR QUESTIONS ARE ABOUT THE PROCESS.

PROBABLY BROUGHT UP THE CHAOS AT THE END.

STILL WAITING FOR WORKSHEETS ON THE BUDGET, APPEARS LEGISLATURE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE VOTING ON.

EMPERORS HAS NO CLOTHES?

>> HAVE WE EVER KNOWN FULLY IN THE BUDGET WHEN IT'S BEEN VOTED ON?

>> NOT EVERY SINGLE PAGE TO EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM.

WE HAVE THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEE CHAIRS WORK WITH THE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRS TO FLESH OUT THE PRIORITIES.

PRESENT THE HIGHLIGHTS.

BUT NOT TO EVERY SINGLE LINE THAT IS IN THE BUDGET ON $38 BILLION.

>> WORKSHEETS HISTORICALLY PROVIDE DETAIL WHAT'S APPROVED THROUGH THE BUDGET BILL.

LEGISLATURE BEGAN POSTING WORKSHEETS MAYBE 15, 17 YEARS AGO.

SO ALWAYS BEEN AVAILABLE ONLINE.

ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED.

>>Daryl: YOU WERE THERE.

DID ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WAS IN THE BUDGET OTHER THAN TWO CHAIRS?

>> I WAS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

LAST DAY.

WHAT I HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER, COLLEAGUES, AS WELL, ON THE MINORITY SIDE AS WELL, THINK DIDN'T THEY WHAT THEY WERE VOTING FOR ENTIRELY.

GOES TO THE WHOLE THING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE VOTING ON SOMETHING NOT GOING TO SEE DETAILS.

WHY WASN'T THAT BUDGET SETTLED EARLIER IN SESSION?

HOLDING UP SO MANY THINGS.

THAT WAS FRUSTRATING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>>Daryl: WERE YOU TALKING EARLIER ABOUT FULL‑TIME VERSUS PART‑TIME LEGISLATURE.

DO YOU THINK LACK OF TRANSPARENT ALMOST ENTIRELY FUNCTION OF HAVING NOT ENOUGH TIME OR NOT EFFICIENT USE OF TIME?

>> I DON'T THINK ENTIRELY.

IT WOULD HELP.

I THINK THAT THERE IS SOMETIMES EXCUSE THAT'S TIME PRESSURE LEADS TO LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

CONTINUOUS MEETING LEGISLATURE MIGHT PROVIDE MORE TIME FOR EVERYONE TO GET A CLEAR LOOK AT THE BILL.

LOOK, DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN IN CONGRESS.

DOESN'T HAPPEN IN EVERY LEGISLATOR THAT MEETS FULL‑TIME.

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I MEAN, DON'T THINK THAT WAS ENTIRELY THE PROBLEM HERE.

I THINK SOME OF IT WAS THE INEXPERIENCE OF SOME OF THE NEW LEGISLATORS.

LOOK I THINK IT COULD HELP.

I THINK IT COULD HELP IN OTHER WAYS TOO.

LEGISLATURE WOULD BE ABLE TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS AS THEY COME UP.

ONE UNIQUE THING ABOUT HAWAII IS LEGISLATURE HAS A LOT OF POWER FOR JUST SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

THEN PRETTY MUCH TURNED OVER TO THE GOVERNOR TO RUN THE STATE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

I WOULD LIKE LEGISLATURE TO BE MORE PART OF THE CONVERSATION FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.

>>Daryl: ANYONE ELSE WANT TO WEIGH ON THAT?

>> ONLY THING YOU KNOW, TO CHAD'S POINT, TAKEN A LOOK BACK ON TUESDAY, AND DISCUSSED THIS IN LEADERSHIP, WE DO THINK THAT IF WE GET A BUDGET AGREEMENT, LITTLE SOONER, THEN IT WOULD HOPEFULLY, HELP TO GET TO BETTER DECISION MAKING.

AND AGAIN, BACK TO FIRST TIME EVERYBODY IS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND LEARNING EACH OTHER'S MOVES IF YOU WILL, AND SO I'M OPTIMISTIC WE'RE GOING TO DO A BETTER JOB.

IF WE'RE NOT, PAY TERRIBLE PRICE IN THE ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

WHEN WE GAVEL OUT.

>> BUDGET PROCESS IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, BUDGET CONFERENCE CONSISTS OF HOUSE MEMBERS AND SENATE MEMBERS.

15 HOUSE MEMBERS ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THINK 13 ‑‑ 11.

SENATORS ON THE SENATE SIDE.

THEY MEET TO TWO BASICALLY MAKE AGREEMENTS ON THE BUDGET.

I THINK THERE'S COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING IN THE FUTURE.

ONE IS MAYBE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SHOULD GO LINE BY LINE WHEN THEY'RE APPROVING THE BUDGET.

IN CONFERENCE.

SECOND THING IS TO APPROVE EXPENDITURES THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS BILLS AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING EVERYTHING INTO THE BUDGET.

I THINK THOSE TWO CHANGES WOULD HELP OPEN THE PROCESS A LITTLE BIT.

>>Daryl: HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM, LAUREN, MINORITY LEADER FOR THAT.

IS THAT, MEMBER OF MINORITY CAUCUS KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> WHAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

THINK WHEN SPEAKER IS TALKING ABOUT LOOKING AT THE PROCESS WHAT WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY GOING FORWARD, I KNOW THERE WAS A BIG KIND OF BLOW UP ON THE HOUSE FLOOR A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND THE BUDGET.

BUT AGAIN, THIS IS KIND OF HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PROCESS.

>> THAT'S NOT SAYING IT'S RIGHT.

I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE DO.

HUGE BUDGET, TALKING ABOUT 38 BILLION.

LOOKING AT CHANGING THE SHAPE OF HAWAII.

AND SO I THINK PUTTING AGAIN THOSE THINGS INTO ACTUAL BILLS, LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND AS WELL, LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS SUCH A DIFFICULT CONVOLUTED PROCESS.

EVEN WHEN WE TRY TO BRING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, IT IS STILL REALLY CONFUSING.

I THINK THE MORE WE CAN SIMPLIFY IT, A LOT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>>Daryl: I'VE JUST GIVEN A REPUBLICAN LAST WORD.

DON'T FORGET.

MAHALO TO ALL OF YOU JOINING TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS.

REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN MATSUMOTO, SENATOR RON KOUCHI, COLIN MOORE, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SAIKI, AND CHAD BLAIR.

NEXT WEEK, WE DISCUSS THE GROWING FENTANYL CRISIS IN HAWAII.

THE DRUG HAS BEEN LINKED TO NUMEROUS OVERDOSES AND DEATHS.

SO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO COMBAT IT HERE IN THE ISLANDS?

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I.

ALOHA!