coup in the legislature thwarted

[808shooter]

This seemingly did not get much press in the news. Anyone have any idea on how this'll impact the legislature next year? Doesn't seem like the Democrats are totally united against Lingle this year.

Newly elected get key duties

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Government Writer

A shift in leadership at the state House of Representatives has afforded some of its newest members with unique opportunities to advance, some even before they have been sworn into office.

An unsuccessful attempt to oust Speaker Calvin Say opened several committee chairman and vice-chairman positions, which Say awarded to 16 members with four years of experience or less.

Of the 13 freshmen entering the House, eight will be committee vice chairs, while some of the others will be assistant floor leaders.

Nine of them will sit on the powerful Finance Committee, which Say has traditionally used as a training ground for freshmen members since budget deliberations give members a broad — and quick — overview of state government.

[Glen Miyashiro]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

Hasn't this been reported on in Poinography! fairly thoroughly? Although that doesn't let the major newspapers off the hook for not tracking the story sooner...

[Miulang]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

It'll be an interesting experiment, if nothing else. But I'm really really hoping that the Neighbor Islands will have more of a say in the Legislature (with more leadership roles being given to Neighbor Island representatives, that could happen) than they have previously.

It's very frustrating to the people of Maui, for instance, who know they need a second hospital (and have the population now to prove it) and truly would support that second hospital (wherever it gets built) while having a very Honolulu-centric Commission appointed by the Legislature that denies the application for that new hospital.

Miulang

[poinographer]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

Hey. Don't you go calling me a reporter, Glen!

To be honest, the best stuff on my blog about the House reorg is found in the reader comments.

[1stwahine]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

Glen is right Doug! Everyone reads your Blog for Political News.

You the MAN!

Auntie Lynn

[TuNnL]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

Anyone have any idea on how this'll impact the legislature next year?

Haven’t checked Doug’s site yet, but this is the million dollar question. From 808shooter’s article:

An unsuccessful attempt to oust Speaker Calvin Say opened several committee chairman and vice-chairman positions, which Say awarded to 16 members with four years of experience or less.

Of the 13 freshmen entering the House, eight will be committee vice chairs, while some of the others will be assistant floor leaders.

This was the only real information in Treena Shapiro’s story, and it barely scratched the surface. What I want to know is: who got a committee chairmanship? Because my inside sources tell me at least one powerful committee chair was seen cleaning out his office this weekend.

[mel]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

What I want to know is: who got a committee chairmanship? Because my inside sources tell me at least one powerful committee chair was seen cleaning out his office this weekend.

The big news in the House reorganization was the fact that longtime House Finance Chair Dwight Takamine from the Hamakua district lost his chairmanship. He was left with no committee or leadership position.

From the Hawaii State Legislature website:

State House Info
House Leadership
House Committees - you have to click on each committee name to see who the chairs and members are.

State Senate

Senate Committees
Senate Leadership

My only comment is that Senator Hanabusa should have her photo updated.

[808shooter]

Re: coup in the legislature thwarted

To be honest, the best stuff on my blog about the House reorg is found in the reader comments.

I'm with Tunnl, I hadn't checked Poinographer's blog until now.

Pretty funny stuff. Including this gem...

Representative-elect Karen Awana, a Republican, takes over the Nanakuli, Honokai Hale district from Democrat Michael Kahikina.

Awana sees herself in position to have Republican Gov. Linda Lingle’s ear, and she also hopes to work collaboratively with the Democrats in the Legislature.

“I really, truly believe we have to work extra hard to build bridges so everyone has a piece of the pie,” she said. “I’m hoping we can distribute the wealth equally throughout the state.“

this is coming from a Republican? Aahhahahhahahah! I'd like Lingle to send this woman to the RNC next year! Totally validates what I've always thought. Party affiliation in Hawaii means nothing to your economic and social beliefs. I've always thought that Cayatano was a republican at heart.

Meh. In re-reading her quote, maybe it was taken out of context but it sure is funny to hear from a "Republican".