| It was a year ago -- last Labor Day --at Thomas Square Park during a union rally, UPW union boss and current Judicial Selection Commissioner, Gary Rodrigues verbally attacked Bankoh CEO Larry Johnson (over workers' comp) then called for union members to take their money out of Bank of Hawaii. During the year, and after that well publicized event, Rodrigues has continued to flex his political muscle and increase his presence while many businesses continue to invest out-of-state. Bancorp Hawaii is now the Pacific Century Financial Corp. Wonder what "the most powerful man in Hawaii" will do for an encore this year? Hawaii's Supremes, our non-singing State Supreme Court, did it again, ruling unanimously (5-0) in July that an employee, violating a legal and valid workplace rule, is entitled to workers' compensation from the "stress" resulting from the reprimand given for breaking the rules. Only in Hawaii! If an employer has no rules, or does not enforce existing rules, she or he is then liable for that inaction for any resulting damage. The Court continues to place business in a no-win, Catch-22 mode. Not to worry: the '98 Legislature will correct this problem. ALL business advocates testified repeatedly years ago about the dangers of expanding work comp "injuries" to include stress since it is impossible to measure objectively (as is a broken arm). You want stress? Start and operate a small business in Hawaii. A second ruling held that a worker was entitled to compensation for employer-created stress. And a Hawaii Court of Appeals said the recipient of illegal work comp benefits from the City & County of Honolulu (the City had challenged the legality of the claim but was forced to pay during appeal) did not have to pay the money back because there is no state law requiring restitution for such benefits!! SBH and others lobbied for such a law for the past 10 years. The Governor was quoted in the July 22 Star-Bulletin's Special Report, in answer to the question, "Did you develop a plan to counteract the Forbes article?" saying "...And that is why they (Forbes) only talked to people like Sam Slom. Sam Slom has about zero power in the Legislature." I'm hurt that the Governor thinks one of only 25 elected State Senators has "zero power." However, I remind the Governor that "zero" is extremely important, and without zero, there would be no higher math, and no computers. The politician I defeated last year had been characterized as the "most powerful legislator." What good is power if it is not used properly and for business and the taxpayers? As the only Senator who spoke and voted against the salary increase for the judiciary, I was pleased the Governor vetoed that measure citing some identical remarks I made previously on the senate floor. I suspect the Governor is paying a great deal more attention than he would like to publicly admit. That's ok, because I am secure in the knowledge that Lowell Kalapa and I (and others) represent the views of the majority of hardworking, tax paying, job creating citizens in this state--of both political parties--who want a change in attitude and leadership as well as a response to the issues raised by Forbes and other important worldwide business and investment publications. Failure to provide vision and leadership necessary to address the cause of our real and growing problems--which are political, not economic -- by name calling, will not halt the exodus of Hawaii residents to cities clearly identified as business and investment friendly, nor help make Hawaii work again. I'll be glad to advise the Governor's Economic Task Force about concrete ideas to permit residents more disposable income and take home pay. Just dial "0." Politicians keep saying small business owners are crybabies who whine. Bette Tatum of NFIB said it best: "When I call 911 because I am being robbed or my house is on fire, I am not whining or complaining, just asking for help from the government I support." KHON-TV aired a human interest story concerning the rapid increase in elderly Hawaii residents who had successfully achieved citizenship status after living in the Islands for many years. The requirement to speak and understand English is waived for one who has lived in the country for more than 20 years. But sometimes this creates problems. A wonderful 97-year old woman of Japanese ancestry answered "yes" to the question, "Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?" Her translator said the woman misunderstood the question, which should have been answered "no," since she doesn't understand English. The elderly woman,however, was quick to add, after a laugh, "I'm a Democrat!" Investor's Business Daily reported an RSG Survey of Pittsburgh, that showed Hawaii ranked last in business climate based on cost. (SURPRISE!). How many more studies and national reports will it take to get the attention of the Governor and Legislature? They don't and won't get it. Read US News next month. "UPS Strike?" What UPS strike? The media constantly refer to a business being struck as striking. Get it right: "The TEAMSTERS STRIKE against UPS" Say it ain't so, Joe: On TV2 newscasts, Joe Moore reported "news" such as, "...the non-union, scab workers who crossed the picket lines..." Sounds more like the union label than Fox News. Don't give up, and don't give in; '98 is the year small business will win! Aloha.
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Editor: Sam Slom
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