STAND. COM. REP. NO. 530

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 521

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 521, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Taxation

 

G.M. No. 521

MARIA ZIELINSKI,

for a term to expire 12-3-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by Maria Zielinski and had the opportunity to discuss with Ms. Zielinski her professional and educational background and plans for leading the Department of Taxation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Zielinski as the Director of Taxation from representatives of the Office of the Governor, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Transportation, the Campaign Spending Commission, Capitol Consultants of Hawaii LLP, Accuity LLP, and twelve individuals.

 

     Maria Zielinski is a certified public accountant with over twenty-five years of experience in senior financial management positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.  Most recently, Ms. Zielinski served as the Deputy Comptroller for the State and the Accounting Systems Administrator for the County of Maui.  During her tenure in those positions, she led the effort to produce those jurisdictions' comprehensive annual financial reports (CAFR) in a timely manner, which was critical for both the State and the County’s credit rating.  As a result of her leadership, the State’s CAFR and Schedule of Expenditures of Financial Awards (SEFA) were completed on time for the first time in over ten years.  Similarly in Maui, Ms. Zielinski was able to complete the county’s CAFR and SEFA on time, an accomplishment that had not been achieved in over thirty years and resulted in annual Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Awards.

 

Before her governmental service, Ms. Zielinski was a financial officer for the California School Employees Association, Haleakala Ranch Company Inc., and Baldwin Pacific Corporation/Haleakala Dairy.

 

     The Department of Taxation is facing many challenges, particularly in the implementation of the tax system modernization project, imposition of state taxes on on-line travel companies, and improvement of the tax compliance, collection, and customer service operations.

 

     In discussions with Ms. Zielinski, it is clear that she is committed to implementing the tax modernization system with fidelity, while also working with the individuals in her department to develop a culture and practice that is responsive to the needs of the various constituencies with which they work.

 

Your Committee finds that Maria Zielinski is qualified and able to lead the Department to effectively and efficiently perform its duties.  Consequently, your Committee supports her confirmation as the Director of Taxation.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair