REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
I have always supported the comprehensive public funding of elections and voted for all past legislation as introduced by Voter Owned Hawaii during my three terms in the State House. I have indeed filed to run for Lt. Governor using the State’s existing public funding option, as weak as it currently is. I believe that the current “pay to play” system has eroded the public’s trust in government as vividly demonstrated by Hawaii having the lowest percentage of voter turnout in the nation.
Do you have any concerns as to the possibility of voter disenfranchisement related to electronic voting device failure and/or the (in)adequacy voting equipment and systems? If so, what are those concerns and what would you suggest to resolve the problem? (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
Yes, I am a strong supporter of public financing for elections. I made it a priority when I was a member of the State house, and I believe it is a reform what will make other reforms possible, especially in light of the recent SCOTUS decision.
Do you have any concerns as to the possibility of voter disenfranchisement related to electric voting device failure and/or the (in)adequacy voting equipment and systems? If so, what are those concerns and what would you suggest to resolve the problem? (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
We have passed legislation to allow the Hawaii County Council to pilot the public funding effort. Let’s see how that works out. I am open to further discussion once we see how well that effort turns out. (more…)
REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
Yes, I strongly support comprehensive public funding of elections. In fact, I have already confirmed my participation in Hawaii’s public funding for my 2010 Lieutenant Governor campaign. I support public funding because the influence of special interest and “big money” has corrupted the political process and barred the entrance of new candidates into public office. (more…)
We had our “political speed dating” event this morning with the 6 Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor. The turnout was a little less than we had hoped for, but I think that it went very well overall. Everyone that I talked to seemed to get something positive out of it.
Josh Frost started off with a few opening remarks while people milled about chatting and munching on refreshments. Barbara Polk introduced the six candidates while people made their way to their seats. In alphabetical order — Rep Lyla Berg, Sen Robert Bunda, Sen Gary Hooser, Rep Jon Riki Karamatsu, Sen Norman Sakamoto,& former Rep Brian Schatz. Then I had the pleasure of describing the logistics of how things would work — there were 6 clusters of chairs distributed in the room; each candidate would have 13mins with a group and then 2 mins to transition to the next group.
Our group started with Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu. He seemed a little unsure of how to proceed at first, but soon found his stride as he answered questions directed at him. As we went through the rounds, (more…)
