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 36. Two out of three candidates responded, including Marilyn Lee. The questions and answers are reproduced below in full. Read the response by her competitor, Beth Fukumoto. Melvin Apana did not send in his questionnaire. Click on each topic listed below to read Civil Beat’s question and Lee’s response.

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

Preferred Candidate Name: Marilyn B. Lee

Senate/House District Number: House of Representatives District 36 Mililani, Mililani Mauka, Waipio Acres

Date of Birth: 1/15/1940

Place of Birth/Hometown: Hometown: Mililani Hawaii (have lived in Mililani since 1981, longer than either of my two opponents)

Current Profession/Employer: Registered Nurse/State Legislator, State of Hawaii

Education/Alma Mater(s): BS in Nursing, Syracuse University

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?

We should do everything possible to avoid raising the general excise tax because of its effect on the poor, the elderly and small business. We should closely examine certain tax exemptions to ensure there is no abuse. ↩ 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 have always been a strong supporter of our environmental laws. During the past session, I voted against Bill 755, the most egregious of the bills to relax protections. The Sierra Club has endorsed me. ↩ 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 because of its negative social and economic effects. Some argue that gambling is the solution to our budget challenges, but states with legalized gambling are still experiencing severe economic problems. ↩ 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 transparency in government to the fullest extent possible. I am Co-Chair of two Legislative caucuses: the Kupuna Caucus and the Women’s Legislative Caucus. Both are completely open and invite public participation. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, several states exempt partisan caucuses from sunshine requirements due to logistical and practical considerations. Not allowing partisan caucuses to interact with another branch of government in private would be one good option. ↩ back to top

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

This year, the bill for Hospital Sustainability was at the top of my best list, followed by the Victim Notification bill which I introduced; both of these became law. We cannot afford to lose another hospital, and victims’ rights must be a top priority. As for worst, that is mostly in the eye of the beholder, but our failure to begin paying off the unfunded liability for the OPEB was a big disappointment. ↩ 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?

Affordable long-term care and early childhood education are top priorities. We must address the needs of our rapidly aging population and at the same time invest in the next generation. We must also deal with the unfunded liabilities of both the ERS and OPEB. ↩ back to top