The recent special session of July 10 is being characterized by some, both in the media and on the street, as a political power play. To a certain extent, this is not an entirely untrue statement. What happened on that
The recent special session of July 10 is being characterized by some, both in the media and on the street, as a political power play. To a certain extent, this is not an entirely untrue statement. What happened on that day was a perfect example of our democratic government at work and the ebb and flow of power being balanced between the executive and legislative branches. The drafters of our constitution, who were more concerned about the consolidation of power rather than with fostering an environment of collaboration, would have been pleased
The governor is entitled to exercise her veto power on any legislation that she does not want to see pass into law. The Legislature, should it be able to muster the required two-thirds majority, is likewise entitled to employ its authority to override any veto when it believes that action would be in the best interest of the public.
This is exactly what we did on July 10 when the House and Senate overrode 11 vetoes and passed into law 11 measures we believed had significant public policy implications and were deserving of such support.
A close look at the legislation we passed into law over the governor’s objections shows that each initiative addresses important and specific policy objectives. While the governor persisted in describing the measures as being somehow “flawed,” that was disingenuous. While one can legitimately claim that the initiatives may have contained components that the governor did not agree with — and she is entitled to disagree — the correct characterization would be one of a difference of opinion on policy. But such is the nature of “spin.”
One clear example of this difference of opinion is the governor’s attempt to veto the Pedestrian Safety Bill, SB1191. Her stated objection was the source of funding. We in the Legislature had made a conscious policy decision that the state should pay for this critical project out of the highway fund, as there is a direct nexus between building highways and the safety of pedestrians at highway intersections. We preferred to protect general fund balances, to ensure adequate support for worthy programs in education, human services and in other important areas. Contrary to the spin from the executive chambers, no matching federal highway funds will be lost or delayed by this action.
Another example of how the governor and the Legislature differ on matters of public policy is her decision to kill via veto the 2050 Sustainability Task Force, HB1270. Thousands of people from across Hawai‘i are presently engaged in helping to develop a long-term community based vision and plan for our state. Yet the governor was prepared to end this effort prior to its scheduled completion date, which is just months away. Why?
Her primary objection is that this effort is being managed and housed under the auspices of the office of the legislative auditor, rather than under her control within the executive branch.
The governor gave similar reasons for her veto of HB310, relating to technology. This measure establishes a Broadband Task Force charged with developing a plan to improve and expand our state’s Internet connectivity. Addressing our broadband capability and ensuring that it is affordable to all are critical components of our state’s remaining competitive in the international arena of high technology development.
Each and every veto we overrode on July 10 represents a public policy initiative that went through an extensive public process. Some of the 11 measures, such as HB30, relating to international trade agreements, have been discussed and debated for years. The legislature has conducted numerous public hearings, offering more than ample opportunities for the executive branch and other detractors to weigh in and voice their concerns. Of the 11 pieces of legislation whose vetoes were ultimately overridden, six had received unanimous bi-partisan votes on third and final reading.
While the events of July 10 generated shouts of indignation and cries of “foul” by the governor and a predictable gnashing of teeth by the minority party, that is all just sound and fury, and spin. This is simply the democratic process at work. Rather than continue their angry partisan rhetoric over what is essentially a legitimate difference of opinion, the executive branch would be better served by moving on to other more productive activity.
The governor vetoes and the Legislature overrides.
Democracy at work.
End of story.
• Gary Hooser is Senate majority leader, representing the 7th Senatorial District, covering Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. He is a resident of Wailua and writes a biweekly column exclusive to The Garden Island.
