The following is a statement from the campaign headquarters of Mufi Hannemann:
Tomorrow evening on Maui, my opponent and I will stand side-by-side at our final public debate. This will be the last time voters have the chance to hear from us, analyze our positions and make informed decisions about who would best serve Hawaii as our next governor.
Both of us have set forth plans outlining actions we’d take, policy priorities and new initiatives. In many areas we agree. But there is a fundamental difference in our plans which illustrates a philosophical difference in our approach.
Simply put, I believe we need to live within our means, while my opponent either cannot or will not say how much his plan will cost or how he will fund it.
At a time when the state is struggling to make ends meet, the Abercrombie plan calls for:
* Unprecedented expansion of government;
* New, unfunded spending;
* New borrowing; and
* Reliance on unidentified federal dollars.
Even a cursory examination of his plan reveals hundreds of millions of new spending, including over $280 million on just two pages alone. My approach is to make the economy job one from day one.
The Hannemann Action Plan focuses on stimulating our economy through job creation within government and the private sector while simultaneously eliminating inefficiencies, duplication and waste, and identifying cost saving opportunities.
It takes a realistic look at Hawaii’s fiscal situation and a careful approach to spending to ensure that what we do today does not harm us tomorrow.
In keeping with having a clear-eyed view of Hawaii’s current fiscal situation, I plan to conduct a thorough management review of our state’s finances. This will give us solid information to make decisions on how to prioritize our spending, safeguard taxpayer money, and fully fund worthy state programs.
This is what I did when I became Mayor of Honolulu in 2005. Under the leadership of Paul Yonamine and a task force of public and private sector volunteers:
* Developed a clear set of priorities for the City;
* Identified waste;
* Recommended services and processes for elimination; and
* Offered areas of opportunity for government and private sector collaboration.
While I’ve been criticized for this approach, my philosophy is that we need to know exactly where we are so that we can determine the best way to move forward, live within our means, have clear priorities and be accountable to Hawaii’s taxpayers.
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Mufi’s plan is fairly short on details. Neil’s is detailed, and he has stated in prior debates that additional funding isn’t necessary, and his “new” programs are realignments of existing capacity in government.
As for Mr. Hannemann’s pet project, voters like me have to wonder why he is walking away from it before it is clear whether or not funding the rail system without raising taxes is realistic or un.
I have come to believe that the whole project should be scrapped, or at least postponed, due to the current state of economic crisis on all bureaucratic levels. The taxpayer base (Hawaii’s golden goose) cannot now afford the Honolulu Rail monstrosity. I think the only way to pay for it is to start taxing the outer islands to help pay. After all, they are going to benefit in a trickle down manner. Otherwise, if there is no will to tax Maui and the Big Island, Honolulu cannot afford it. Period.
Finally, integrity in many of Hannemann’s people seems seriously lacking. They sure seem to flout the rules more than his opponents’ supporters, from the highest levels of his campaign, down to the foot soldiers placing signage much too close to walk-in voting places.
Attitude reflects leadership, I guess.
Why is Hannemann claiming to be a Democrat? As an LDS member, his contributions to the “church” pay for far right political activism throughout the country. There is a reason why Utah is 80% Republican. He’s made it clear that he plans to commit treason by violating separation of church and state, and would veto Civil Union legislation based on his personal religious views. And what is with his buddies putting out ads saying that no person should be governor unless they are an avowed Christian. So is Hanneman saying being Jewish disqualified Lingle?