Tackling the state's budget problems and stimulating the economy remain at the top of the to-do list for Hawaii lawmakers, who are now back in the office for the year.
Among the key pledges on this first day of the legislative session are: no new taxes on residents and businesses; maintaining economic recovery and promoting job growth; and supporting a $500 million capital improvement package that would help in those efforts.
Gambling is likely to be among the most controversial bills but no chamber is rushing to be first off the starting line, and serious pension reform is needed due to billions-and-growing in unfunded obligations.
In both the house and the senate opening days in recent years have looked different - not as much song, dance, flowers and food. They say it's intended to match the austerity the session should uphold as the economy struggles to recover.
"Maintaining stability means no new taxes for state government from residents and business. Maintaining stability means no major general fund appropriations increase for the expansion of state programs," said House Speaker Calvin Say (D).
"With the forecast in the budget of red ink by 2016 of $312 million, it's a time to stop spending," said House Minority Leader Gene Ward (R).
Lawmakers do plan to back big investments in public work projects.
"We'll try to stay focused on the economy. Senate is going to have a bill 2012 to reinvest money in our state facilities, and so we're going to keep our eye on the ball and keep moving forward," said Senate President Shan Tsutsui (D).
As states nationwide eye a new frontier in internet gaming, Hawaii once again explores whether to open the door on that and other forms of gambling. Some stand firmly against it.
"Please lead us not into temptation for a quick fix for gambling, even though I know every year you're gonna do it," said Ward.
None yet say they'll be the ones to introduce a gambling measure, not house leadership, not senate leadership, and not the governor's administration. However all say they're willing to consider gambling measures initiated by one of the others.
"I just shared with the advocates that if something comes from the senate maybe we'll consider it. But it did die on the floor of the house in 2011," said Say.
"All I think we could possibly do is maybe have some kind of a commission that's formed to evaluate and study the different options. You have everything from shipboard gaming to lotteries to whatever, so it's going to be a multi-year discussion without a doubt," said Tsutsui.
"I think we are anxiously looking forward to what the legislature does, and at that point when they present us with a bill, we'll really look hard at it and see what we want to do," said Deputy Chief of Staff Blake Oshiro.
As for retiree issues, expect heated dialog on major structural reforms in health and pension funding which is billions short of what's needed. Ending "spiking," or ramping up average pay just before retirement, is among the likely moves.
