September 13, 2012

Speaker Say's & Chair Oshiro's Comments on Recommended Tax Increases of Tax Review Commission's Consultants

May 11, 2012

Sustainability & STEM Celebration of Learning

On May 10th and May 11th, 2012, Speaker Say joined students at Kula Kaiapuni 'o Anuenue and Palolo Elementary School for a tour of their campus as students presented their project results and shared insights and knowledge gained from applying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts and skills in their research.

May 3, 2012

Speaker Say's remarks on Sine Die 2012

The Legislature has accomplished much this session. These accomplishments are the result of the early and continuous cooperation among the Senate, Administration, and House.

At the beginning of the session, the Legislature proceeded to move bills to address imminent problems. Three bills were reported out of carryover conference committees, passed by both houses, and signed into law in February by the Governor. HB 608, which became Act 1, provided state assistance to The Queen's Medical Center for an organ transplant center in the wake of the closure of the Hawaii Medical Center. SB 239, which became Act 2, extended the funding of the John A. Burns School of Medicine with tobacco settlement funds, an action necessary for the viability of the School. HB 809, which became Act 3, authorized the University of Hawaii to issue $100 million more in revenue bonds, an action intended to fund construction projects for economic revitalization.

Through January and February, the Legislature fast tracked HB 2096, a bill to prevent a substantial increase during 2012 of the unemployment insurance contribution rates for businesses. If not for the bill, businesses would have had to absorb a multi-million dollar increase in their unemployment insurance contributions, diverting capital from other more productive purposes. HB 2096 was passed by the Legislature and, on March 9, signed by the Governor as Act 6.

Perhaps most notable of the early session accomplishments, the Legislature expedited the passage of SB 2783, the OHA public land trust agreement. Passage of such legislation had eluded the Legislature for many years. This session was different because of the prevailing spirit of cooperation. At the urging of Governor Abercrombie and OHA, the Legislature passed SB 2783, and it was signed into law as Act 15 on April 4.

You should all be proud of yourselves for the early session accomplishments. They make an impressive resume by themselves.

The spirit of cooperation has continued until the end of session. The Legislature can point to many worthy bills that have passed in the areas of economic revitalization and job growth, renewable energy, public employee pension reform, health and human services, consumer protection, agriculture, charter school reform, early learning funding, and other areas of no less importance.

Of course, we could not have accomplished any of this without our staffs. I thank them for their effort. Foremost, thank you to the permanent and session staff members of our respective offices. They had to put up with us as well as the daily work grind. Thank you to House Chief Clerk C.J. Leong, House Sergeant-At-Arms Kevin Kuroda, and their staffs. Thank you to House Majority Staff Office Director Joan Yamaguchi, House Minority Research Office Director Beth Fukumoto, and their staffs. Thank you to Rich Dvonch, House Chief Attorney, and Jim Funaki, House Special Counsel. Thank you to Nan Kalupahana and the staff of the Finance Committee. Thank you to Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi and the Legislative Reference Bureau staff. Thank you to Glen Booth and Capitol TV.

Finally members, I thank you all for a mostly collegial, frequently enlightening, and definitely productive Regular Session of 2012.

I am honored and humbled to have served as the Speaker for you -- because you are people of high quality character, dedication, and accomplishment.

Aloha.

April 24, 2012

Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America - Report to the State

A contingent of three Scouts, Council President Rick Blangiardi, Scout Executive Rick Burr and other representatives of the Aloha Council presented the organization's annual Report to the State Governor Neil Abercrombie and House Speaker Calvin Say on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at the State Capitol, Ceremonial Room.

The report highlights the organization's achievements in 2011, the first year in Scouting's second century. The Aloha Council's theme, Developing Leaders for Life, has defined the organization's focus under four pillars: learning, service, leadership, and adventure.

February 21, 2012

Rep. Giugni Takes Oath of Office

Newly appointed State Representative Heather Haunani Giugni was sworn in today during the House floor session. Giugni was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to fill the District 33 seat which covers Aiea, Halawa Valley, Halawa Heights, Aiea Heights, and Red Hill. Former Representative Tom Okamura, who was previously appointed to the seat in January, stepped down last month unexpectedly due to illness.

"The House welcomes Heather Giugni and looks forward to working with the new representative for the 2012 legislative session," said House Speaker Calvin Say. "Rep. Giugni has demonstrated her commitment to the community through her work in media, political and cultural projects. I believe she will bring an interesting and valuable perspective to the legislature."

January 31, 2012

Palolo's "808 Boyz" Win NFL Flag Football National Championship

Speaker Say joined Governor Abercrombie in congratulating the 2012 NFL Flag Football National Champions, Palolo's "808 Boyz." This marks the first Flag Football National Championship for Hawai'i. In honor of the team's accomplishments, the governor issues a proclamation declaring January 31, 2012 "808 Boyz Day."

January 18, 2012

Speaker Say's remarks on Opening Day 2012

In his opening remarks, Speaker Say stated the goals for the session: to maintain a steady, gradual economic recovery, while not increasing the burden on the people and businesses of Hawai'i. The Speaker conceded that while lawmakers would like to make our state energy independent and provide affordable healthcare and housing to everyone, our economic reality puts these goals out of reach for the current session. While we are fortunate not to be facing a budget crisis as we have for the past three sessions, the state's financial future is still not secure. Although it may not make for the most interesting news headline, the looming burden of funding public employees' retirement and health fund systems must be resolved to prevent catastrophe for future generations. View Opening Day Remarks

September 2, 2010

Pro-Business Legislators

The September issue of Hawaii Business Magazine is all about "Seeking the Business Vote". One of the stories focuses on the Hawaii State Legislature and a recent survey of business leaders on which legislators are the most business-friendly. Read the story, written by long-time political observer and former Honolulu Advertiser political reporter/editorial page editor Jerry Burris, here. Three members of the House majority were included in the "frequently named" category: House Speaker Calvin Say, Rep. Bob Herkes, and Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki.... Read more

August 2, 2010

Speaker Say and Ag Chair Tsuji named BIO Co-Legislators of the Year

Congratulations to Speaker Calvin Say and Rep. Clift Tsuji for being named Co-Legislators of the Year by BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, based in Washington, D.C. Hawaii maintains a $200 million seed crop industry, and the state's agricultural biotech sector employs about 2,000 people statewide.View full article

April 29, 2010

Speaker Say's remarks on Sine Die 2010.

2010: A difficult session with philosophical disagreements resulting in lively Floor debates. Tough decisions had to be made because of the dismal international, national and local economy and balanced budget responsibilities. Read more