Palolo Democratic Rep. Calvin Say’s 13-year leadership of the state House may be challenged by his old rival, Maui Democratic Rep. Joe Souki.
It was Souki, 79, who lost the position of House speaker to Say, 60, when Souki was unable to round up the 26 votes needed to maintain control of the 51-member House.
With the general election still months away, the final House roster is not set, but with Democrats controlling the majority, efforts are now starting to remove Say.
"I have been asked by groups of about 18 to be speaker. I have not made a commitment. This group feels that I am the only one who can bring the two parties together: the dissidents and the loyalists," Souki said in an interview.
Souki, who like Say is also a former House Finance Committee chairman, reports a higher-than-usual level of frustration among the dissidents, a group made up of some of the younger and more liberal members of the House Democratic block.
"They are tired of being a divided body and they want to somehow unite," Souki said. "They feel I have the capability to bring both parties together."
The possible reorganization didn’t start with him, said Souki, who also stated that he is fine with Say remaining speaker.
"I am not uncomfortable with Speaker Say; I don’t have a personal problem with the speaker; I consider him a friend. I am not actively looking for votes," Souki said.
Back during the last House reorganization in 1998, Souki said he looked to Say as a friend, even though he was on the verge of toppling his six-year reign as speaker.
Because of his friendship with Say, Souki told Say that the dissidents were trying to remove him and make Souki the speaker.
"Speaker Souki and I talked about it and he laughs about leaving the office," Say said in a separate interview.
Say noted that he also has not started a full campaign to retain his speakership, saying he has his own group of supporters.
"I am not concerned about most of the people who support me," Say said, adding that his allies include those who are looking for "stability and continuity."
Who organizes the House, or Senate, is important not only for the players involved, but because the process includes setting up the committee structure.
Bills move through the Legislature only with the concurrence of a handful of legislative leaders, including the Senate president, the House speaker and the leaders of the Finance and Ways and Means committees and the two Judiciary committees.
Those organizing the House are able to trade committee chairmanships in return for support, and the final deal will extend to what issues the various players want to either support or kill.
For instance, the politically powerful public employee unions have been stymied in attempts to knock off Say, whom they view as an impediment to increased worker benefits. In past sessions, Say has tried to reduce retirement and other worker perks, arguing that the state could not afford them.
This year, Say noted that he would like to return as speaker so he could work with Gov. Neil Abercrombie to restore public employee health benefits and salary cuts.
"Would we be able to increase the employer’s contribution for health care, I would love to," Say said.
As for the drive to organize the House, Say is enigmatic.
"I will let the cards fall where they fall and what happens, happens. Is it time to pass the torch? When is the best time?" Say asked.
The dissident Democratic group did not talk on the record about their new maneuver.
And Souki said he doesn’t believe "a good leader is one who goes out and knocks on doors."
"Many things can happen. It is a feeler, and we will see how far it goes. If nothing happens so be it," Souki said.
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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.
