MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii State Senate officially adjourned the 2011 legislative session Thursday, May 5 with the passage of a final four bills and the singing of ‘Hawaii Aloha’.

During the session, which began Jan. 19, more than 3,000 bills were introduced by the State Senate and House of Representatives, with about 250 of them getting final passage.

The majority of such bills still await final approval by the governor.

“It was a very challenging session,” Senate President Shan Tsutsui said, “because our state is facing very difficult economic times which limit how much we are able to do. But it was also a rewarding session because in the end we were able to balance our budget while protecting the most vulnerable in our society and we passed some of the most historic legislation in the history of Hawaii.”

Among the more memorable measures that were passed this year were the re-structuring of the Department of Education, the approval of Civil Unions and the passage of a bill that recognizes Native Hawaiians as he only original indigenous people of the islands.

In addition, the Senate approved legislation that protects home owners by reforming the foreclosure process; legislation that makes Quest and Medicaid benefits more accessible to people in rural areas; and new rules that will help the state better administer and manage public lands.

“While we did not please everyone with our budget,” said Tsustui, “we were able to avoid raising the State General Excise Tax (GET) and taxing the pensions of our elder citizens. Those were big concerns at the start of the Session.”

Through their deliberations with the House of Representatives, the Senate was able to balance the budget primarily through a temporary suspension of some business income tax exemptions, an adjustment in rental car surcharges and the transfer of some hotel room tax income to the state, as well as several other smaller income generating actions.

The Hawaii Legislature is scheduled to convene next January for its regular 2012 Session, but in the intervening months all Senators will continue to meet with their constituents and be available for matters of government and civil concern.

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Statement from Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Legislature session ending

“We started this legislative session by laying out a bold plan to move Hawaii in a new direction. We were determined to conduct ourselves with a spirit of collaboration. We said repeatedly that everyone must contribute and that our decisions must reflect our values and priorities.

“We have found that support for the political status quo, abetted by private interests, remains strongly in place. It will take time and action by the executive to change this culture.

“While we did not get all we wanted in this legislative session, we have made meaningful strides forward.

“We moved the Board of Education from an elected body to an appointed body embraced enthusiastically by the public. The Board of Education, comprised of diverse community leaders, has already begun moving our schools in a new direction.

“We signed a civil unions bill that ensures equal rights for all people of Hawaii. We did this without recreating the heated battle lines of the past.

“We secured private funding to transform the state’s antiquated technology system so we can streamline government services and save taxpayers millions of dollars.

“The people of Hawaii don’t want to hear excuses and arguments about why things can’t be done. They want action. Our administration will take the budget we have and transform government as we know it by being innovative, resourceful and relentless in the face of our challenges.

“In the coming weeks and months, you will hear of more partnerships and initiatives to move toward the New Day plan—educational excellence, energy independence and a sustainable economy.

“My administration is ready and moving; our community partners are ready, and the people of Hawaii are ready to bring positive change. There is no doubt in my mind that, together, Hawaii is on the way to a New Day.”