Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Reginald Garcia, Democratic candidate for state House District 39, which covers Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Hoopili and a portion of Waipahu. His primary opponent is Corey Rosenlee.

Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.

1. What is the biggest issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

The issue of inadequate affordable housing is multifaceted and encroaches upon several societal domains, and often is compounded by the increasing cost of living in the state. This has contributed significantly to the state’s overall population decline and forces many individuals and families to move out of the area.

To address this, I will work toward a multifaceted approach involving incentivizing developers to build more affordable housing units, implementing rent control policies to protect tenants and expanding access to low-interest housing loans for first-time homebuyers. Collaborating with local community organizations and government agencies would also be crucial in creating sustainable solutions to this pressing issue.

Providing crucial tax relief to working families, increasing local jobs and creating stable economic conditions for individuals and families are some of my primary concerns.

2. How do you feel about the massive income tax cut just approved by the Legislature and the governor? Do you have any concerns that it will force reductions in state services in the years to come?

Supporting the tax cuts recently approved by the governor of Hawaii during the legislative session is a positive step toward incentivizing economic growth and providing relief to taxpayers. These tax cuts can stimulate consumer spending, encourage investment and boost job creation, which are essential components for a thriving economy.

By reducing the tax burden on individuals and businesses, the state can attract new businesses, retain existing ones and enhance competitiveness, ultimately leading to a more prosperous future for Hawaii.

The approved tax cuts demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility and prioritizing the welfare of residents by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money. Lower taxes improve the overall business climate, attract outside investments and spur economic development in various sectors, benefiting both businesses and individuals. Additionally, these tax cuts can help alleviate financial pressures on families, allowing them to invest in education, health care and other essential needs.

While tax cuts can stimulate the economy, it’s essential to ensure that essential services like education, health care and infrastructure are adequately funded. I believe in a balanced approach that prioritizes both tax relief and maintaining crucial public services to prevent any adverse impacts on the community in the long run.

3. Hawaii continues to struggle with pay-to-play politics and corruption in government. What meaningful reforms do you think would change state government for the better?

To combat pay-to-play politics and corruption in government, implementing strict campaign finance laws and increasing transparency in political donations and lobbying activities are crucial reforms needed in Hawaii.

Additionally, promoting civic engagement, whistleblower protections and enforcing accountability measures can help curb unethical practices and promote a more accountable and ethical state government.

Moreover, enhancing oversight mechanisms, enforcing conflict-of-interest rules and imposing penalties for violations are critical steps in deterring unethical behavior among public officials.

Strengthening lobbying regulations, enforcing strict post-employment restrictions on officials and promoting a culture of integrity and public service are essential for fostering a clean and accountable government.

4. Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in the Legislature. And yet major reform proposals don’t pass. Will you back good-government proposals even if it means going against leadership? If you are an incumbent, can you point to an example of a reform that you supported?

Supporting good-government proposals, even if they go against leadership, is essential for upholding democratic values and serving the public interest. By standing firm on integrity and advocating for meaningful reforms, candidates and incumbents alike can demonstrate their commitment to transparent governance.

It is important to prioritize the needs of the constituents over political agendas to drive positive change and address systemic issues effectively. I will support policies that reinforce the Legislature’s crucial role in governing and shaping the future of the state.

At its core, the Legislature’s primary duty is to enact laws that address the needs and aspirations of Hawaii’s people, ensuring long-term economic stability along with sustainable development.

5. Do you support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate? Why or why not?

I support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who opt to participate as it promotes fair and equal access to the political process. By reducing the influence of big money in politics, public financing can level the playing field for diverse candidates and prioritize the priorities of constituents rather than powerful interest groups.

It enhances democracy by fostering greater participation and accountability in the electoral process. I believe it enhances civic engagement in the Legislature by restoring trust in the electoral process.

With an increasingly polarized position in national politics regarding elections, I believe it is important for the State of Hawaii to continue to demonstrate that.

6. Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process. Do you support such a process? Why or why not?

Providing citizens with a direct means to propose and vote on legislation empowers grassroots efforts, promotes civic engagement and is a fundamental principle of democracy.

By enabling residents to initiate policy changes, it enhances government responsiveness to the needs and preferences of the community, fostering a more inclusive and participatory decision-making process.

If elected, I will consider policies that move in the direction of increasing access of the population in the lawmaking process.

7. Thanks to their campaign war chests and name familiarity, incumbents are almost always reelected in Hawaii legislative races. Should there be term limits for state legislators, as there are for the governor’s office and county councils? Why or why not?

Implementing term limits for state legislators could help foster greater accountability, diversity and fresh perspectives in Hawaii’s political landscape. By enabling new voices to enter the Legislature, representation and responsiveness to the needs of the community are given the space to evolve, providing a more dynamic and robust response.

It encourages turnover, promotes new ideas and reduces the influence of entrenched interests.

However, I believe that it must be conducted in a way that does not impede the continuity of sustained efforts to address the state’s most pressing issues. Often, the problems facing the state require sustained engagement by several stakeholders and organizations that specialize in these issues, and ensuring that progress is made requires a Legislature that is familiar with the issues and the previous attempts to resolve it.

8. What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature? Do you support ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session?

Ensuring accountability at the Legislature is paramount to upholding transparency and public trust in government.

Supporting initiatives that bring accountability to the Legislature and enforcing limitations on campaign contributions during sessions can enhance transparency and reduce the risk of conflicts of interest.

By promoting transparency and ethical conduct, we can strengthen the integrity of the legislative process and serve the best interests of the public.

9. How would you make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public? Opening conference committees to the public? Stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists? How could the Legislature change its own internal rules to be more open?

I believe it is important to preserve and increase the public’s engagement in the legislative process. Restoring trust though reviewing the disclosure requirements on lobbying activities and enhancing transparency in legislative proceedings are crucial steps.

By increasing public access to decision-making processes, strengthening lobbying regulations and improving disclosure practices, we can enhance accountability and public engagement in the legislative process.

10. Many people have talked about diversifying the local economy for many years now, and yet Hawaii is still heavily reliant on tourism. What, if anything, should be done differently about tourism and the economy?

Diversifying Hawaii’s economy beyond tourism is essential for long-term sustainability and resilience. Investing in sectors like technology, agriculture, renewable energy and health care can create new economic opportunities, reduce dependency on tourism and promote innovation and job growth.

By fostering a diverse economy, we can mitigate the risks of overreliance on a single industry, promote economic stability, and create a more balanced and resilient economy for the future.

11. An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by, a problem that reaches far beyond low-income and into the middle class, which is disappearing. What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are finding it hard to continue to live here?

To address the struggles faced by the middle class and working families in Hawaii, policies that focus on increasing affordable housing options, expanding access to quality education and health care and raising wages to match the cost of living are essential.

Implementing programs to support small businesses, providing job training and retraining opportunities and investing in infrastructure projects can also stimulate economic growth and improve the standard of living for residents across income levels.

By prioritizing solutions that address the root causes of financial strain, we can create a more equitable and thriving community for all.