Rules dispute breaks out at Capitol as Hawaii legislators debate veto overrides
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A rules dispute broke out today at the Capitol as legislators debated whether to override Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of several bills.
At one point, state Rep. Gene Ward attempted to speak on a bill that would increase the barrel tax on petroleum products from 5 cents to $1.05.
However, House Speaker Calvin Say refused to recognize him, saying that Ward had already gotten up twice.
Ward and fellow Republicans objected.
A brief recess was called, and afterward Say, a Democrat, said he was incorrect and that Ward had spoken only once before on this topic.
Now with the floor, Ward said: "Let's be creative and innovative ... with incentives, not just tax, tax, tax."
Say later apologized.
Following a roll call vote, the override of Lingle's veto of the barrel tax bill was approved, 42 to 9.
