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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 General 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 Michael Jauch, Republican candidate for state House District 17, which includes Niihau, a portion of Omao, Koloa, Poipu, Lawai, Kalaheo, Eleele, Hanapepe, Kaawanui Village, Pakala Village, Waimea and Kekaha. His opponent is Democrat Dee Morikawa. 

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?

Overregulation. It stifles private sector growth and adds unnecessary cost to residents.

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?

Income tax should be abolished, as should most taxes including property taxes. Most state services, other than essentials such as fire and police, should be handled by each community through the private sector.

If the community doesn’t support it, it will go away, unlike state programs that operate in perpetuity.

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?

Prosecute corruption.

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?

The Legislature continuously passes more laws, rules and regulations, eventually making everything illegal. I promote rescinding laws, rules and regulations that serve no useful purpose other than to protect self/donor interests.

I will be representing the people of my district and will act in their best interest. Leadership in legislatures promotes authoritarianism.

Term-limit all elected positions. I define professional politician as lobbyist.

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

I do not support public financing of elections, due to the loopholes inherent in election financing laws. 

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

Yes, I support a statewide citizens initiative process. Our cities, counties and state belong to the people, therefore, there should be a mechanism for the people to propose initiatives outside of the Legislature.

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?

As I stated previously, all elected positions should be term-limited to one or two terms. The constitution was written to restrain government and citizens elected into positions were serving a term and returning to the private sector.

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?

The Legislature should be completely open to the public. Sunshine Laws should be vigorously enforced and those who do not comply should be removed from office.

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?

All meetings should be open to the public. They supposedly work for the public. 

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?

We need to rescind the onerous laws, rules and regulations. They only promote more government agencies and typically are designed to promote specific businesses.

Small business is the backbone of all economies. Laws, rules and regulations squeeze out small business by forcing additional unnecessary cost burdens.

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?

Reduce the size and scope of government. 40% of employment in Hawaii are government employees. Government wages are low and negatively affect private sector wages.

100% government jobs are funded by taxes. The 60% are paying taxes to support government. Reduce government to 10% and 90% will be supporting government, reducing the tax burden to a minimal amount.

Private sector wages will increase and small business with thrive.