Welcome to 2012. A new year. A fresh administration.

Enter the Year of the Dragon. Under the most severe economic conditions that have faced the State, my committee developed a budget focusing on education and core social services and closed the budget deficit without raising the general excise tax. However, under the current projected deficit outlined by Governor Abercrombie, we can still anticipate tough choices on dealing with the budget shortfalls, including funding of State pension and health care obligations, Medicaid costs, State payroll expenses and new initiatives. While the Council on Revenues, a panel of government, academic and private sector economists, predicts some degree of economic recovery with an improved 3% growth in state tax revenues for the current fiscal year, the challenge for decision makers is to heed the bottom line. As the 26th Legislature opens, you will see several new faces in the Hawaii State Senate. Notwithstanding the recent elections, Governor Abercrombie’s appointment of Senator Dwight Takamine as director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Senator Russell Kokubun as director of the Department of Agriculture means two additional freshmen Senators have been appointed to fill their seats. After the November elections, the Senate immediately got down to business and re-organized.

In addition to my role as Vice President, I will chair two Senate committees; the Tourism Committee and the new Special Committee on Accountability. I accepted the call to chair this new committee as I firmly believe that government agencies and officials should be held responsible for their actions. I am also excited to be back chairing Tourism.  I look forward to the upcoming session with energy and commitment, keeping in mind that our work is never done. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for your confidence and support. It is my privilege to continue service as your State Senator. Happy New Year!