Candidate Q&A: State Senate District 22 – Cedric Gates

Editor’s Note: Ahead of Hawaii’s November 5 general election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer several questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities would be if elected.

The following is from Cedric Gates, the Democratic candidate for state Senate District 22, which includes Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha and Makua. His opponent is Republican Samantha Decorte.

For general information, check out Civil Beat’s Election Guide, 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?

Cost of living is a major issue for Westside. There is a feeling in my community that locals are being pushed out of paradise, and I feel that in my own ohana. My oldest brother moved to the mainland a few years ago because he had to do what was best for his family and his children’s future.

We need to continue to cut taxes on food and medicines, give all our residents access to cheap renewable energy, cut vehicle registration tax and build more council housing.

2. What do you think about the massive income tax cut that the Legislature and governor just approved? Are you concerned that it will force cuts to government services in the coming years?

I am a proud supporter and advocate of House Bill 2404, which I helped pass this year—a bill that cuts income taxes by more than 70 percent for middle-class families. The average family of four with an average income of $88,000 will save nearly $20,000 on their tax bill by 2031. That’s real money in the pockets of local residents that will show up directly in their net pay.

If there is a revenue shortfall, I intend to raise taxes on out-of-state homeowners, second-home owners, and look for ways to create additional sources of income through new industries such as sports betting, some forms of gaming, or marijuana.

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

Over the past three years, the House of Representatives has taken serious and immediate action to curb corruption, adopting 22 of the 31 recommendations of the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct.

Nothing is perfect and we cannot always prevent people from behaving unethically or illegally, but we have put significant safeguards in place in our workplaces that will make it less likely to happen in the future.

4. Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in the legislature. Yet major reform proposals fail to pass. Will you support good government proposals, even if it means defying leadership? If you are an incumbent, can you point to an example of a reform you have supported?

I supported all the reforms that I voted for; as I said in my previous answer, we accepted a significant number of the recommendations of the Campaign Expenditures Committee.

I have voted yes on every campaign reform issue that has been brought before me, and my vote is not subject to pressure from anyone other than the community I represent.

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

Yes. As I mentioned earlier, I was one of the youngest people ever elected to public office in the state of Hawaii. I had trouble fundraising because I’m not part of the establishment, and I actually lost my first election because of lack of funds.

My hope is that in the future, other young candidates will be able to apply for public funding so they can have a voice in Hawaii’s future and compete with well-funded incumbents.

6. Hawaii is the only Western state that does not have a statewide citizen initiative process. Do you support such a process? Why or why not?

Data from other states, such as California, is quite disturbing.

State-level grassroots initiatives bring illegal money into the country that is spent without limits, allowing special interests that have nothing to do with Hawaii to take over our democracy.

7. Thanks to campaign funds and name recognition, incumbents are almost always re-elected in Hawaii legislative races. Should there be term limits for state legislators, like there are for the governor’s office and county boards? Why or why not?

Yes. I joined the legislature at age 23, one of the youngest elected in the state, but I don’t think anyone should have to do this job their entire adult life.

New blood is essential to the health of our democracy.

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?

I helped pass a law banning campaign contributions during legislative sessions.

Applying the Sunshine Law to the legislature could provide greater accountability to the public and is something we should seriously consider. How to effectively implement this in a 76-seat parliament will be a challenge and may make it harder for us to effectively discharge our duties.

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

The irony is that Covid has made our Parliament more accessible than ever before, with every hearing, plenary session and conference committee available via Zoom.

Waianae and Nanakuli residents no longer have to miss work and travel nearly 30 miles to the Capitol to testify. I am encouraged and grateful for this new reality.

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

Ecotourism is the way of the future. We want conscious and respectful tourists who are willing to give back to our community. We need to promote a new wave of tourism that sustains our small local businesses, so that money spent in Hawaii stays in our local communities instead of flowing to foreign hotel conglomerates.

With so many people leaving Hawaii for better opportunities, we must continue to offer career paths in agriculture, technology, healthcare and other emerging industries.

As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I have focused on value-added products such as coffee, chocolate and macadamia nuts. The new labeling regulations I have passed will ensure that products with the Hawaii label are truly the product of our local growers and producers.

This is the fastest and most effective way to keep the local economy moving in the right direction. We need to protect our brands, products and identity so that Hawaii remains as authentic as possible.

11. An estimated 60% of Hawaiians struggle to survive, a problem that extends far beyond low incomes to the disappearing middle class. What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are struggling to continue living here?

As a government, we need to spend our hard-earned money better. I am committed to promoting legislation for lower taxes and more efficient government. The historic tax cuts we passed this year are a good start, but we have a long way to go.

Small business owners know there is too much red tape, the regulatory burden is far too high, and it hurts wages and job creation. Ultimately, we need to lower our overall cost of living, whether it be utilities, vehicle registrations, or business taxes, to make sure we are doing our part to make staying in Hawaii an easy choice.

Hawaii needs more industries that pay a living wage because my dream is that one day my ohana, friends, and classmates will be able to come back to Hawaii and raise their families.