Based on my experience serving as a Hawaiʻi State Senator (2002-2010) and as the Senate Majority Leader – the benefit of keeping an entrenched incumbent legislator in office to ensure they continue “bringing in money to the district” is hugely overstated.

Invariably the standard campaign line will be, “Because I have X years seniority and sit on committee XYZ, the district benefits from receiving generous funding for its roads, schools etc. If the new guy is elected, the district will have its funding reduced”.

Mostly this is a B.S. argument.

There are 3 entities – Governor, House, and Senate who must all agree to any changes whatsoever to the State budget.

In addition, every district has a minimum of one Senator and one Representative responsible for overseeing its needs.

Consequently, ALL funding decisions for ALL districts, require multiple approvals and no single legislator can honestly claim sole credit for the funding received by the district.

The starting point for all budget decisions is the executive branch and its various departments.

The Governor and the executive departments each have their own budget priorities.

Every department develops its own budget priorities for maintenance and new construction.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) monitors the condition of roads, highways, harbors, and airports. The Department of Education (DOE) does the same with school facilities.

The Governor works with the departments, comes to agreement on priorities, and presents the final budget to the legislative branch.

The House and Senate then review the Governor’s budget and priorities, possibly adding or subtracting various line items and projects.

Both the House and the Senate must agree in order to approve any changes to the Governors proposed budget.

Any attempts by the legislature to add or subtract from those priorities will require agreement from the department responsible for implementing those changes (new school, new highway, new park etc).

Yes, absolutely certain legislators in positions of leadership and/or the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means and House Finance committee – have greater access and impact on budget decisions.

But no single legislator has the power or authority to build a new school, or highway, or community park or most anything.

And yes, the legislature (but no individual legislator) can also “spend money” via “bills” that are outside the main State budget. These “money bills” for specific projects must be approved by the House and Senate, AND the governor who will always consult with the related departments.

Bottom line:

A district’s roads, schools, parks, and essential infrastructure will be funded at a basic level regardless of the legislator elected to represent that district.

Any increases or changes to the basic funding contained within a departments priority plan and overall State budget, requires the review and approval of multiple entities.

No single legislator, regardless of position can approve, disapprove, or alter any state budget item that’s under the purview of a State executive branch agency.

However, almost every legislator will distribute “constituent communications” (newsletters etc) taking credit for the state funding that comes into their district.

Gary Hooser
former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader