Editor’s Note: In September 2012, Civil Beat sent six questions to each of the candidates running in the Nov. 6 general election for Hawaii Legislature. The questions and answers are reproduced below in full. Click on each topic listed below to read Civil Beat’s question and the candidate’s response.

• General Excise Tax
• Environmental Regulatory Review
• Gambling
• Sunshine Law
• Best and Worst Legislation
• Overlooked Issue

Preferred Candidate Name: Eric B. Marshall

Party Affiliation: Republican

Senate/House District Number: Senate District 10

Date of Birth: 08/26/74

Place of Birth/Hometown: Honolulu

Current Profession/Employer: IT/Compliance Officer at Hawaiian Electric Employees Federal Credit Union

Education/Alma Mater(s): Leilehua High School, University of Hawaii, University of Phoenix

1. With the exception for Honolulu rail, the state has not raised the general excise tax in decades. Would you consider increasing the GET to help the state meet its budget demands?

No, the GET tax kills the economy and jobs. It taxes both goods and services at every level, including food and medical care thus it harms the lower class and poor disportionately. I would propose decreases in the GET by eliminating the .5 % GET rail tax and work to convert the state to a more fair sales tax as most of the states currently do. The State Budget needs to be trimmed to spur the economy and help businesses create jobs. Government does not create any prosperity or revenue. Having almost 1 in 3 workers employed in Government jobs is leading to an unsustainable economy. We must live within our means and take less money from Hawaii families. ↩ back to top

2. Lawmakers proposed relaxing environmental regulatory review to spur development and job growth in the 2012 session, and the issue is expected to resurface next year. Where do you stand?

Rail and other state sponsored project shouldn’t be exempted from regulatory laws and reviews. The rail needs to be stopped since it was found to be illegal. The Rail project is the largest Ponzi scheme making the poor pay for wealthy land developers & PRP to get filthy rich. A simplify calculation shows that our 5 to 9 billion in GET taxes divided by 1 million Oahu residents equals a cost of $5000-9000 per every man, women, & child or equal to a new car for every family on the island. Over 80% of Oahu will never use it even once but would be paying for it. It’s Taxation without Justification. ↩ back to top

3. Gambling — are you for it or against it? If not, why not? If so, what type of gambling and with what kind of restrictions?

I am against gambling in any form since it would again steal money from the poor to give to the rich. The main premise for Gambling by the State is to use it to increase tax revenues meaning that the odds are stacked in their favor. It again is a Ponzi Scheme where people are deceived in a putting their monies and hopes into state coffers with little chance of returns. Plus criminal activity will increase as would the moral decay of our society as a whole. Families will be torn apart, children will starve, women will be abused, and men will become not only addicted to gambling but drugs as well. ↩ back to top

4. The Sunshine Law is a hallmark of an open democracy accountable to its citizens. Yet, the Legislature exempts itself from this requirement. Do you support more transparency in government operations, or are there legitimate reasons to conduct some of the people’s business behind closed doors?

This is a travesty that many good candidates exposed in 2010. I would not only eliminate the Legislature’s exemptions I would increase the penalties such as jail time for legislators who break these laws. I would allow citizens the right to even sue legislators in civil suits for compensation for the negative effects on their lives by legislators actions done in secret closed door meetings. These power mongers need to be kept accountable and should not be allowed to hide any vote or decision. State level business does not have an effect on National Security which would be the only reason for privacy. Hawaii is democracy and not Nazi Germany. ↩ back to top

5. What is the best legislation — and worst legislation — that the Legislature has approved in recent years? Please explain.

The worst legislation list is way too long to be listed here but every tax and fee bill would be on my list. All the social issue bills such as Civil Unions are on the top of the list as well. The Best Legislation I would say are the laws that have not passed recently such as Anti bullying laws sponsored by the LGBT lobbyists who are trying manipulate our children freedom of speech and religious rights. I would add that the fight against education bills that would impose Sexual orientation lifestyle indoctrination in our public schools was the Best legislation last year. Great job Legislators. ↩ back to top

6. What is an issue that you would champion at the Legislature — one that perhaps has not received much attention, or an issue that is important to your district?

I would fight to expose the lie that Democrats and their Government social programs are helping the poor. Being raised off welfare I know firsthand the limitations the system imposes on the people to escape and prosper. The poor are often manipulated and taken advantage of and are harmed the most by the Political environment that exists in Hawaii. The poor in Palolo and my district deserve more vision and someone who would fight against bus cuts in the district. ↩ back to top