REPORT FROM THE STATE SENATE – Senate Vice President Donna Mercado Kim (Sen. District 14) has been selected as the President of the Senate and will preside during the 27thHawaii State Legislature, which will convene on January 16, 2013. Senator Ronald D. Kouchi (Sen. District 8) will serve as Senate Vice President. Senator David Ige (Sen. District 16) will continue as Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, with Senator Michelle Kidani (Sen. District 18) serving as his Vice Chair.
The Senate acted quickly to organize after Maui State Senator Shan Tsutsui (Sen. District 5) took the oath of office as Lieutenant Governor yesterday. The Senate line up remains mostly intact to allow members continuity in their committee work as the Senate has been preparing for the upcoming session.
“We are solidified in dealing with the pressing issues facing our State. The Senate continues to be organized in a cooperative and focused manner. I’m humbled to receive the confidence and support of my colleagues” said Senate President Kim.
“We reached an agreement quickly so that we can continue to focus our attention on the issues and begin preparations for the 2013 session,” said Senate Vice President Kouchi.
A complete listing of Senate Leadership and Committee Chairmanships is as follows:
| President | Donna Mercado Kim |
| Vice President | Ronald D. Kouchi |
| Majority Leader | Brickwood Galuteria |
| Assistant Majority Leader | Michelle Kidani |
| Ways and Means, Chair | David Ige |
| Ways and Means, Vice Chair | Michelle Kidani |
| Majority Floor Leader | Will Espero |
| Majority Policy Leader | Les Ihara, Jr. |
| Majority Whip | Gil Kahele |
| Majority Whip | Jill Tokuda |
| Judiciary and Labor, Chair | Clayton Hee |
| Commerce and Consumer Protection, Chair | Roz Baker |
| Agriculture, Chair | Clarence Nishihara |
| Technology and The Arts, Chair | Glenn Wakai |
| Economic Development, Government Operations, and Housing, Chair
Housing, Chair |
Donovan Dela Cruz |
| Energy and Environment, Chair | Mike Gabbard |
| Education, Chair | Jill Tokuda |
| Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs, Chair | Brickwood Galuteria |
| Health, Chair | Josh Green, M.D. |
| Higher Education, Chair | Brian Taniguchi |
| Human Services, Chair | Suzanne Chun Oakland |
| Public Safety and Military Affairs, Chair | Will Espero |
| Transportation & International Affairs, Chair | J. Kalani English |
| Water and Land, Chair | Malama Solomon |
Good luck to her! I wish she will live up to the expectations.
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