Full Name: Brian T. Taniguchi

Name on Ballot: Brian T. Taniguchi

Age: 64

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: State Senate

District: 11

Email Address: taniguchb006@hawaii.rr.com

Current Job: State senator

Place of birth: Honolulu

Job history past 10 years:

State senator

Policy analyst, Hawaii Government Employees Association

Community Affairs, Central Pacific Bank

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

Yes, since 1980. Won.

Other civic experience or community service?

Manoa Neighborhood Board

What makes you qualified to be a state senator?

I have served in the Senate for the past 22 years and previously in the House for 14 years. I have chaired the major committees in the Senate, including six years as Ways and Means Committee chairman.

Gov. Ige says he will once again propose increases to the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help pay for state road projects. Do you support his proposal?

I do not know what the governor will propose, but I have supported fee and tax increases in the past for the Department of Transportation to allow it to do its job properly.

If the Legislature is again asked to extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to finance construction or operation of the rail system, would you support such an extension?

HART should try to use the state’s bonding authority to borrow money to help its finances much like a mortgage. This will ensure that the future users of the system will share in the cost of constructing the system.

Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?

The state’s role should be to assist the counties but the primary enforcement responsibility is with them.

Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?

Probably not, as this is clearly a county matter.

Dozens of police officers in Hawaii are disciplined each year for committing crimes or violating departmental policies, but little information is released about the officers or their cases. Do you think there needs to be greater public disclosure?

I believe there is sufficient transparency under the current system.