District 36 – Marilyn B. Lee (D)

Full Name: Marilyn Brenda Lee

Name on Ballot: Marilyn B. Lee

Age: 76

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: House

District: 36

Email Address: marilyn@marilynblee.com

Current Job: Community volunteer

Place of birth: Schenectady N.Y. (lived in Hawaii 36 years, and married to a local for 45 years)

Campaign website: www.marilynblee.com

Job history past 10 years:

2006-2012: State representative

2012-2016: Community volunteer

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

1996-2012: won eight times, lost last two times

Other civic experience or community service?

President, Soroptimist of Central Oahu (all activities are current)

Vice Chairwoman, Neighborhood Board No. 25

Member, School Community Council at Mililani High School

Board, Friends of Mililani Public Library

Board, Friends of Hawaii State Center for Missing Children

Member, Mililani Lions

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

Lived in the same house in the district 36 years

40 years professional practice as a registered nurse

Former Navy nurse

2016 Leader Luncheon awardee

Mother of four and grandmother of eight

Lived abroad in Korea, Philippines and Taiwan

Avid gardener and good cook.

Love Hawaii.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

A veteran of 16 years service in the state House, serving as majority floor leader and vice chairwoman of House Finance Committee. Passed many bills; brought home many projects to the community. Willing to embrace change and work across the aisle. Know community and legislative history. Respected member of my community.

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?

Depletion of the highway funds is both a national and state problem. I agree we need to be able to pay for repair and maintenance and new projects, but we must look at all possible sources of new revenue before we act. The governor is correct to be concerned.

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?

I want transit to succeed, and proceed to Ala Moana. The Legislature should give back the 10 percent it withholds for administration, and encourage the federal government to give more. The private sector should be called upon to help develop stations. The rail tax will eventually need to be extended further.

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

Absolutely, because we need rental properties to be available for local residents first, rather than cater to offshore interests. The governor was correct to propose a veto of Bill 1850, which would open up our neighborhoods to illegal B and Bs. We should consider all options to accommodate houseless citizens.

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

Most police officers do a great job, but there is an element who needs improvement. Body cameras would protect both. Although the police departments are administered by the counties, the state should encourage the use of cameras, as this is a matter of public safety and prevention of liability.

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?

Yes.