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 House of Representatives District 18. Two out of three candidates responded, including Lori Wingard. The questions and answers are reproduced below in full. Read the response by her competitor, Jeremy Low. Mark Hashem did not send in his questionnaire. Click on each topic listed below to read Civil Beat’s question and Wingard’s response.

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

Preferred Candidate Name: Lori Wingard

Senate/House District Number: State House 18

Date of Birth: 06/22/1973

Place of Birth/Hometown: California

Current Profession/Employer: TV Co-Host, Thinktech Hawaii; Assistant to President/CEO, Archinoetics

Education/Alma Mater(s): Cal-State Univ Hayward, Political Science, Business Minor; Mt. San Antonio College, Liberal Arts

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?

No, I oppose any increase in our taxes. Keep in mind that while the GET has not been raised for some time (except, of course, for the hefty 12% increase on Oahu to fund rail), the taxes all of us has paid further increased over the years since our GET is tied to all goods and services and the prices for nearly everything has gone up over the years. It has been estimated by leading economists that our current GET approximates to a 12-14% sales tax. ↩ 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?

I support streamlining of the permitting process to eliminate duplication and clear bottlenecks. However procurement is an integral part of government transparency as well as ensuring that all treatment is fair and equitable. ↩ 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 am not in favor of legalized gambling in Hawaii for two major reasons. First, I am concerned about the unintended consequences gambling could bring. Legalized gambling will undermine the unique foundations of Hawaii tourism and result in increased crime. Second, gambling is a de-facto tax on the poor. Our government needs budget discipline, not more schemes designed to excuse us from fiscal responsibility. ↩ 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?

Because I believe government transparency is critical, if elected I will introduce legislation to remove this exemption, and fight for its passage. The people also deserve advance notice for hearings on bills affecting them. All such hearings should be open and available 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 are business and tech measures including the innovation of aerospace and broadband bills. Also, another notably good measure is the venture accelerator for startups that give tools and access to financing and experts that will examine business models. Generally speaking, most measures that receive bi-partisan support tend to be better legislation and unite the people.

The worst was allowing the legislature to raid our “rainy day” fund. Also, underfunding the state’s pension obligations is not good. Measures that pass with votes along party lines tend to divide the people. ↩ 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?

“Solar on Every Roof in Hawaii.” With 90% of Hawaii’s energy coming from imported oil, Hawaii is the only state dependent on oil for power. With abundant sunshine, it makes sense that Hawaii should be the leader in advancing and transitioning to clean, renewable energy. I will take strides to accelerate transitioning to solar and to ensure that solar is affordable and accessible. Also, by educating more people and business about existing credits and financing options will allow consumers to drastically reduce their monthly electricity bill and, in some cases, earn money from generating electricity to be used on our grid. ↩ back to top