CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT: Barbara Haliniak – Candidate State House 13

Barbara J Haliniak.

By Maui Now Staff

Barbara Haliniak is a candidate for the State House District 13 seat. Haliniak is running on the democratic ticket and faces fellow democrat, Mele Carroll for the seat.  There are no other party challengers.

Full Name: Barbara J Haliniak
Location of Birth:  Maunaloa, Molokaʻi
Current residence: Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi
Occupation:  Business Owner – Self Employed Bookkeeper
Elected offices held, if any: None.
Education: High School and some college
Community Involvement:  Founder, Molokaʻi Professional Women’s League (nonprofit) founded in 2013; Founder & President, Molokaʻi Island Foundation (nonprofit) 2005 to present; Board member, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. 2005 to present; Board member, Maui County Workforce Investment Board 2004 to present; Molokaʻi Chair, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Molokaʻi Charity Walk 2007 to present; President, Molokaʻi Chamber of Commerce 2001 – 2009
Family status:  Blank.

State Legislative Candidate Questionnaire:

1. What is the number one issue facing the district you plan to represent? Why do you feel it warrants special attention and how do you plan to resolve this issue? If you have more than one item, please elaborate.

Answer:  Jobs are a big issue facing the district.  Many businesses in the district are small businesses owners (mom & pop establishments) that must constantly monitor their cash flow.  Unless a legislator is or was a small business owner with employees, making payroll and understanding that paying general excise taxes five days after paying payroll taxes knows that this is a big cash flow concern.  Another issue is the temporary disability insurance (TDI) where insurance companies assess premiums based on gender.  The premium of TDI is higher for women than male employees.  With all the equality laws in effect, why is this a gender issue, where it drives up the TDI premiums of a small business owner who employs women?

I would repeal the GET payment due date from the 20^th to the end of the month as it was prior to the change in July 2009 to ease up the cash flow for small businesses.   Streamline the state’s workforce development programs to better fit the small business employment needs, i.e.; Work Experience takes approximately 89 days to get approval to hire new employees, why so long?  On the job training program where the employer pays half of the wages and the state the other half; relax the rule that the new hire must work at least 20 hours.   Do a one year contract where the new hire can work less than 20 hours for 6 months and the following 6 would be at least 20 hours.  Work with small businesses to encourage new hires by implementing these changes and others that may be identified by forming a small business core group, which consist of business owners who employ less than 50 people.

2. The HTA is projecting visitor arrivals and expenditures to plateau in 2014.  What are some revenue generating ideas you have to stimulate the island economy?

Answer:  Some revenue generating ideas are: take control of government spending; give tax payers relief, down size government; stop spending the tax payer’s money foolishly.  Government keeps saying that small business is the backbone of our economy, yet they keep taxing small businesses.  Government should stop impeding small businesses from growing, work with businesses to find solutions for job growth.  If all else fails to cut government spending, implement a state lottery.

***Candidate spotlight segments were compiled as a public service to further educate and inform Maui voters about the upcoming primary election on August 9, 2014, and the general election on November 4, 2014. The questionnaires  were distributed via mail following the primary election candidate filing deadline for select races affecting Maui County.  The responses do not reflect the opinion or position of Maui Now or Pacific Media Group.