Candidate Q&A: State House District 40 – Rosebella Martinez

Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 general election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer a few questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Rosebella Martinez, Democratic candidate for State House District 40, which includes parts of Lower Village, Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point. Her opponents are Republican Julie Reyes Oda and We the People Party candidate Christian Ulufanna.

For general information, see Civil Beat’s election guide and view other candidates on the general ballot.

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

People are very concerned about the rising cost of living, environmental safety, and housing and homelessness.

Given the rising cost of living in Hawaii, I voted to pass the largest tax break for Hawaii’s working families. This is just one of many steps that will help keep our local families not only here in Hawaii, but in their own homes. From working to strengthen Hawaii’s food production industry to finding ways to make food and medicine cheaper in our stores, there is still much work to be done.

Because Ewa is located near Pearl Harbor, it has long-held concerns about the safety and well-being of areas under U.S. military control. I will continue to seek answers from them and ensure that they are good stewards of the land and good neighbors to our communities.

2. What do you think about the massive income tax cut just approved by the Legislature and the Governor? Are you worried this will lead to cuts to government services in the coming years?

I supported legislation that included tax cuts to provide immediate relief to Hawaii’s working families. It is our job to advance the path where we can reduce the cost of government through increased efficiency or restructuring. With so many of our local families living paycheck to paycheck it is already a challenge, we need to go further.

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

I support banning fundraisers during the legislative session. I also believe there is still much work to be done to improve the way the public can view our ethics-related files.

I support stronger ethics and government reform proposals that would help restore public trust in the Legislature.

4. Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in Parliament. And yet major reform proposals fail. Will you support good government proposals even if it means going against the leadership? As an incumbent, can you give an example of a reform you supported?

Yes. Ultimately, I am grateful to the many hard-working people in District 40 and will support reform proposals that align with their values.

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

Yes. Participation apathy is a very serious problem facing our state. Lowering the financial barriers to accessing public resources would allow many new types of candidates to run for office, less constrained by the political fundraising mechanisms we currently face.

It would also mitigate the influence of private interest groups and lobbyists on elections, helping future officials maintain their independence and objectivity.

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

Yes. The people should have the opportunity, albeit at a high threshold, to directly challenge or influence the political decision-making apparatus of our state.

7. Thanks to their campaign coffers and name recognition, incumbents are almost always reelected in Hawaii general elections. Should there be term limits for state legislators like there are for the governor’s office and county councils? Why or why not?

Yes. I’m open to the idea, but ultimately I firmly believe that voters should have the final say.

Having run against the previous incumbent several times, I know firsthand how difficult it is to mount a meaningful campaign without self-funding.

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

Yes, as mentioned, I support banning in-session fundraisers and support strong sunshine laws. Greater public participation and oversight can only strengthen our government.

9. How would you make legislation more transparent and accessible to the public? Open conference committees to the public? Stricter disclosure requirements for lobbyists and lobbyists? How could lawmakers change their own internal rules to be more open?

I support an open and free Capitol and will support any reform that increases public participation or accountability. I would also make it easier to search and view records.

10. Many people have been talking about diversifying the local economy for many years, and yet Hawaii still relies heavily on tourism. What, if anything, should be done differently in tourism and business?

Systemic changes are needed to change the course of our local economy.

Despite its tragic impact on our people, the 2020 pandemic has increased discussion about economic diversification as the economy heavily dependent on tourism has ground to a halt. I believe significant progress can be made in agriculture, health, and other STEM-related careers.

11. An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents struggle to make ends meet, a problem that extends well beyond low-income earners to the disappearing middle class. What ideas do you have to help middle class and working families who are struggling to continue living here?

I think across the state people are just struggling to make ends meet. The cost of food, housing, goods – they are all rising and there is a huge gap between what people earn and the cost of survival for local families. I hope to continue to focus on finding ways to counter these pressures by trying to make local food cheaper and more readily available.

We should also look for new ways to provide housing for our population by considering expanding our affordable housing stock through the construction of smaller, transitional housing or looking for new ways to plan communities that could help us accommodate more people to accommodate.