Squabbles over rail reflect divisions among legislators

Honolulu’s heavy rail transit system remains the most controversial done deal facing local politicians.

This year, Oahu taxpayers were saddled with an extra five years of payments because the city is projecting deficits of up to $900 million.

The extra money came because Mayor Kirk Caldwell asked the state to change the rail tax law and extend it for five more years.

Gov. David Ige signed the rail-rescue bill, saying just that he approved this project and wouldn’t be distracted by talk of other plans.

Inside that story are layers and lawyers, machinations running from not just funding the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s plans, but also the future of the 76 lawmakers who voted for the extension.

Lawmakers now point out that Caldwell was less than forthcoming in his lobbying for more money for the controversial project.

At first, the mayor said he wanted a permanent tax increase and that would pay for rail plus two rail extensions to Manoa and Waikiki.

Without the extra money, Caldwell said the city would raise property taxes between 30 percent and 43 percent to “pay and operate rail” if the state didn’t extend the tax.

Then, in an apparent political aside, Caldwell explained in some but not all of his testimony that if you just wanted get the city out of its rail woes and not build two new lines, that would just cost property tax payers 5.6 percent to 19 percent more for the bailout.

As reported in Sunday’s Star-Advertiser, lawmakers have a new case of heartburn, saying Caldwell misled them and he should apologize.

“He was never straightforward,” complained Rep. Sylvia Luke, finance committee chairwoman.

Majority leader Rep. Scott Saiki said Caldwell should issue “an apology to the public and the Legislature.”

Caldwell last week denied he was at fault.

Several things are happening within this drama. First, rail is still plowing forward, the city is still getting more money from taxpayers and Caldwell is expected to argue still for a permanent tax increase.

Second, rail is becoming a powerful target. Being in favor will not provide a smooth election. For a majority of this year’s Legislature, the tax bailout vote was their first public stand for or against rail. Only a handful of representatives and senators were around for the 2005 vote authorizing the rail tax.

Saiki and Luke held their noses and voted for the tax this time, but in 2005 they voted no and they are still not fans of either Caldwell or the rail plan. House Speaker Joe Souki, however, loves rail and was the real political muscle behind the bill passing this year.

In some legislative circles, attacking Caldwell also is seen as an attack on Souki.

Souki regained the speakership in 2012 by uniting several factions hoping to remove Rep. Calvin Say from the post.

Souki moved ahead of some supporters this year with his resolute support for rail, medical marijuana and bailing out of Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The harsh words for Caldwell are interpreted by some in the Legislature as a move by Souki’s foes to distance themselves from Souki and give themselves room to maneuver. Saiki says no coup is underway and the House’s internal dynamics didn’t play a part in his lecturing Caldwell.

Either way, Honolulu’s rail will continue to make for perilous politics.

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.