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Aloha Friends and Neighbors

When President Barack Obama took the oath of office, he gave the nation a challenge, "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility." His message strikes me because, as legislators, we have always had a duty to the people we serve. Our responsibilities, now more than ever, are to make sure that the world we leave our children is better than the one we live in today. The issues that face both our State and Nation are difficult ones, but not insurmountable. I remain optimistic that we can make the necessary intelligent, responsible choices.

Senator Kim at Opening Day of the 2009 Legislature

The Twenty-fifth session of the Legislature opened on January 21, 2009. Opening Day was marked with a public ceremony and that afternoon, it was work as usual. The 2009 session is proving to be one of the most challenging ever. With the growing budget deficits, I have been given the task of leading the Senate as Chair of the Ways and Means (WAM) Committee. As Chair, I am responsible for balancing the State budget. We face the hard decisions in finding the best way to close the approximately $2 billion gap in revenues. I look upon this challenge as an opportunity to make government more efficient, cut waste, preserve badly needed programs and eliminate others, consolidate and eliminate duplication. These lean economic times compel us to make more prudent financial decisions and to do more with less.

Thank you, again, for the opportunity to serve as your State Senator. My office is always open to hear your concerns and priorities. With your support, I pledge to continue to work tirelessly for you and your families.

Aloha and mahalo,

State Senator
14th District

2009 Legislative Staff Top Row: Arline Gokan (Legislative Aide), Debbie Hiramoto (Committee Clerk), Frances Nakamura (Session Secretary) Bottom Row: Gina Williams (Office Manager) and Elizabeth Narkon (Legislative Aide)

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