Editor’s Note: In July 2012, Civil Beat sent six questions to each of the candidates registered to run in the Aug. 11 primary for Hawaii State Senate District 25. Three out of four candidates responded, including Levani Lipton. The questions and answers are reproduced below in full. Read responses by her competitors, Laura Thielen and Fred Hemmings. Pohai Ryan did not send in her questionnaire. Click on each topic listed below to read Civil Beat’s question and Lipton’s response.

• General Excise Tax
• Environmental Regulatory Review
• Gambling
• Sunshine Law
• Best and Worst Legislation
• Overlooked Issue

Preferred Candidate Name: Levani Lipton

Senate/House District Number: Senate District 25

Date of Birth 01/05/1974

Place of Birth/Hometown: Born: Pennsylvania, Hometown: Kailua

Current Profession/Employer: Executive Director, Ananda Foundation

Education/Alma Mater(s): MPA, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. MPH, University of Hawaii. B.A., Hawaii Pacific University. Iolani School.

1. With the exception for Honolulu rail, the state has not raised the general excise tax in decades. Would you consider increasing the GET to help the state meet its budget demands?

I would not consider increasing the GET to help the state meet its budget demands. I support our small businesses, many of which are family run and operated. In the current economic climate, families are already struggling to make ends meet and I believe that raising the GET at this time would negatively impact our small business community. ↩ back to top

2. Lawmakers proposed relaxing environmental regulatory review to spur development and job growth in the 2012 session, and the issue is expected to resurface next year. Where do you stand?

Job growth is absolutely vital. However I don’t agree with relaxing the environmental regulatory review to spur development. Mechanisms such as environmental regulations are in place to protect the environment and the communities we live in. Relaxing environmental regulations could risk setting a dangerous precedent for the future. In development, we need to ask who the stakeholders are and whether all voices are being heard from the beginning and throughout the process. Taking short cuts now may cause more harm and cost more to fix in the future. ↩ back to top

3. Gambling — are you for it or against it? If not, why not? If so, what type of gambling and with what kind of restrictions?

I oppose gambling. The social cost of addiction would be devastating to our communities, many of which are already torn by domestic violence, drugs, and child abuse. Government needs to focus on generating alternative sources of revenue, job creation, and affordable housing. Our families need to be financially stable so that they don’t feel that they are living on the edge all the time. ↩ back to top

4. The Sunshine Law is a hallmark of an open democracy accountable to its citizens. Yet, the Legislature exempts itself from this requirement. Do you support more transparency in government operations, or are there legitimate reasons to conduct some of the people’s business behind closed doors?

I support more transparency in government operations. A voter reminded me the other day that elected officials work for the people. Elected officials no matter what capacity they serve need to be accountable to the public. ↩ back to top

5. What is the best legislation — and worst legislation — that the Legislature has approved in recent years? Please explain.

The best legislation approved by the legislature was Senate Bill 2545, establishing the Executive Office of Early Learning. I would look forward to working with all stakeholders including service providers, parents and community members to ensure that every young child in Hawai’i has access to high quality preschool. I strongly support the implementation of comprehensive early learning systems that are evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and designed to increase the number of Hawai’’’s keiki to be prepared–emotionally, socially, and academically – to succeed in school. We must invest in our children.

I am concerned about an increasing trend over the past few years, that is reflected in several pieces of legislation that were introduced to limit and/or override environmental protections and the environmental review process. I strongly believe in the environmental review processes – including the rights for public commentary and involvement in the decisions affecting their communities. It is crucial that we protect Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources to ensure the state’s economic viability. We need to focus on the long-term impact of development. I would like to see legislation that continues to protect and enforce protections for our fragile island ecosystem. ↩ back to top

6. What is an issue that you would champion at the Legislature — one that perhaps has not received much attention, or an issue that is important to your district?

An issue that I would champion at the legislature is to revive the farm to schools program in our public schools, which would introduce fresh produce into every school cafeteria. It could perhaps start as a once a week program. Providing fresh produce has multiple benefits. Public health-wise it could help reduce the incidence of obesity by teaching children about good nutrition. It would also support local farmers teach children about the environment we live in and the need to protect agricultural land. I see this as win-win for all stakeholders and most importantly vital to upbringing of our children. ↩ back to top