So far, so good: Legislature, governor seem to get along

If good friends make good laws, we are setting up a mighty productive legislative session.

Democrats may run the Legislature, but there have always been Ds of different stripes ready to battle for causes ranging from GMO food labeling to hustling the military out of Makua Valley.

Last year was a time of division for Hawaii’s Democrats, who rumbled through a primary season with major skirmishes.

Former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz split the Democratic vote nearly in half as Schatz finally won by less than 2,000 votes. And Democrats made history by bouncing out an incumbent governor in favor of the low-profile Sen. David Ige.

Now as governor, Ige is proving to be the rallying point for a somewhat strange sense of friendship instead of the expected tension between the legislative and executive branch.

"I know David. We see eye to eye on almost all things," says Senate President Donna Mercado Kim.

Kim added that she understands Ige is now in a different position from his nearly 30 years as a legislator, but expects an easier time with Ige compared to fellow Democrat Abercrombie.

"David was a good team player when he was in the Legislature, but now the job is different," Kim said.

But, even the Republicans are looking hopefully at Ige.

House GOP Leader Beth Fukumoto Chang said that the legislative fights with Abercrombie mean that "it can’t get any worse than it was with the previous administration.

"He seems to be a very reasonable man," Fukumoto Chang said.

As evidence of his bipartisan nature, she pointed to a bill supporting low-income tax credits that she wrote and that Ige passed out of his committee when he was Ways and Means Chairman.

"Everyone said it was DOA when it hit his committee, but he approved it, so it shows he is willing to work with Republicans and that is a good sign."

Ige is expected to be help keep up the legislative good feelings because he picked Mike McCartney as his chief of staff. Kim said that McCartney, a former legislator, state department head and party chairman, brings his own brand of cooperation to the table.

Of course, before the House and Senate traipse up to the 5th floor for a few choruses of Kumbaya with Ige, there are some serious issues to handle, including several that are ready-made fights.

Ige supporters like House Democratic Leader Rep. Scott Saiki said the governor is already working with the Legislature to settle the divisions.

"The governor understands and respects the legislative process. He has already reached out to the Legislature and is beginning discussions on the public hospitals, the prisons and the health exchange," Saiki said.

Abercrombie, Saiki said, failed to "reach out to the Legislature."

"That was what was missing with the previous administration. Last year, the House had only one meeting with Abercrombie and that was one requested by Speaker Souki," Saiki said.

So as it stands with the lawmakers coming back to town Jan. 21, the legislative-executive relationship is like a Yogi Berra quote.

"I tell the kids, somebody’s gotta win, somebody’s gotta lose. Just don’t fight about it. Just try to get better."

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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at

rborreca@staradvertiser.com

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