Marcus Hester’s Hawaii House District 22 Survey

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Editor’s Note: In September 2012, Civil Beat sent six questions to each of the candidates running in the Nov. 6 general election for the 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.

Preferred Candidate Name: Dr. Marcus Hester

Party Affiliation: Republican

Senate/House District Number: House District 22

Date of Birth: 03/07/58

Place of Birth/Hometown: Hampton, Virginia

Current Profession/Employer: Medical

Education/Alma Mater(s): Ph.D.

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. ↩ 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?

Would maintain the balance between new development and environmental regulation … sustainability is key. ↩ 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?

Opponent Tom Bowers – is for Gambling – I am very much against Casino Gambling coming to Waikiki (major difference between Tom and myself) www.MarcusHester.com. ↩ 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?

I believe transparency in government keeps all honest and above board … I support the Sunshine Law. ↩ back to top

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

As I stated earlier, the push by the legislature (especially Tom Brower HB2788 & HB938) to bring Gambling to Hawaii will increase crime, bankruptcy, corruption & family dysfunction … the mayor, police department and tourism bureau are all against it … I am Saying a BIG “NO” to Casino Gambling in Waikiki!!! www.MarcusHester.com ↩ 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?

Legislation creating jobs & creating a balanced budget … looking to the future – protecting this generation and our next generation (Ohana & Keiki) ↩ back to top

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