Cautious optimism and austerity mark start of 2012 Legislature

By B.J. Reyes
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
POSTED: 10:02 a.m. HST, Jan 18, 2012
LAST UPDATED: 12:38 p.m. HST, Jan 18, 2012

State lawmakers opened the 2012 session today with cautious optimism, calling on colleagues to spur job growth and protect a slowly recovering economy while holding the line on taxes and new spending.

"For the short-term, we must maintain stability with respect to the state budget," said House Speaker Calvin Say (D, St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Valley-Palolo Rise) in prepared remarks. "Maintaining stability means no new taxes for state government from residents and businesses.

"Maintaining stability means no major general fund appropriation increases for the expansion of state programs."

Opening day ceremonies this morning are muted, with none of the traditional entertainment as lawmakers sought to strike a business-like tone for the start of session.

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