Alternatives to a Dreary 2010
Legislative Opening

By Sam Slom

The opening of the Hawaii State Legislature has always been a fun, flowered, festive unique event. The food was legendary too. No other state's legislative opening ever came close to Hawaii.

But not in 2010.

Our Speaker of the House, President of the Senate and the massive majority party sent out an official letter this week, canceling the traditional opening and any celebration of the State Legislature on Wednesday, January 20, 2010.

The reason given: the severe economic crisis requiring broad significant sacrifices.

So, no invited guests, friends and family, visiting touristsãmany of whom plan their winter vacations around the legislative openingãentertainment, flowers or food. Bring on the ashes, black dress and sack cloth.

Past beneficiaries of much of the food have been the homeless and the hungry. Entertainment introduced many talented local young people and groups in our state in addition to established legends. Flowers and conviviality was part of the idealistic kickoff to the same annual 60-day struggle over taxes, regulations and budget horse trading that was to come. But for one brief moment, all of us were together, united, hopeful and smiling.

I agree that we are in a severe economic crisis. And it will probably be as bad or worse in 2010. (The state Council of Revenues estimates are due out next week, December 17, and they will most likely continue downward, or at best, a standstill). We know of our problems. We argue about the causes and course for improvements. We put up with he idiotic school furloughs. The over taxation and regulation of business. Damage to non-profits and the services they provide. The public layoffs. The more than 50,000 private job losses so far.

I also concur that expenses should be cut back in the legislatureãnot just for opening dayãjust as individuals, families and small business have been doing for years, but the choices are not either an extravagant opening ceremony or nothing at all. There is moderation and a middle ground. We could preserve a tradition. This is not just about money alone.

On a personal note, my Senate office has had a modest welcoming spread every year for the past 13 year openings and not 1¢ of taxpayer money was spent for food, flowers or decorations. We even got together with other Senate offices in the past and pooled modest resources for the public. We will do so again January 20.

I had suggested to the Senate leadership this year that we still have entertainment, by local school kids, musical groups, volunteers, creative arts groups or donated entertainment by the very organizations subsidized by this legislature. There need not be any cost involved. We could use the event to showcase several of the many talented residents who make Hawaii home and bring pride to all of us.

There even was the early proposal to do away with opening day remarks. I strongly disagreed because there are differences in philosophy not only for opening day significance but for the 2010 session ahead. They need to be spoken and heard. Now, there will be at least "abbreviated speeches."

What happened to Mr. Obama's "hope and change?" It seems the members of his own party here are the very ones who have lost hope and resist change. What is the message this action really sends? That the legislature is suddenly frugal and concerned about excessive spending and debt? I don't think the public will see it that way.

What do we have to celebrate? We celebrate our individual God-given liberty and our ability to change things for the better. We celebrate being part of an America that provides for open debate in an elected legislative body. We celebrate the human achievements within our Hawaii. We can turn the pessimism around with genuine positive efforts backed by steel will and long denied change in Hawaii. We can navigate a different course. The opening could signal that legislative commitment.

Or we can just hunker down, spread the misery, and destroy the dreams. We could just as well cancel Christmas and Hannukah for the same economic reasons.

Tradition is important and empowering. By denying our unique legislative opening we deny the right to believe. It is bigger than just the legislators.

Let your lawmaker know how you feel.

Senator Slom Talks About Furloughs,
Education and the State Budget

Video made by mel with a Canon S5 iS camera and iMovie 09 with a MacBook Pro laptop.

HEADLINE LINKS FROM HAWAIIREPORTER.COM

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