Each week Editorial and Opinion Editor Jeanne Mariani-Belding hosts The Hot Seat, our opinion-page blog that brings in elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On The Hot Seat last week was House Speaker Calvin Say. Here is an excerpt from that Hot Seat session. To see the full conversation, visit The Hot Seat blog at: www.hotseat.honadvblogs.com.

Dorothy: I know the economy is bad. But what are your priorities for making cuts?

Speaker Calvin Say: The priorities for the House will be to try to preserve as much as possible our safety net in healthcare, human services, housing and education, higher and lower.

I hope there will be no layoffs if all parties will be willing to sacrifice.

Jodi A.: What is your position on pay raises for the Legislature? I think it's appalling.

Say: Presently, I do support the pay raise that has taken effect as of Jan. 1, 2009. The pay raise was adopted as of 2008 by the Salary Commission that encompassed the judiciary branch, the executive branch and the legislative branch. The Legislature did not reject the Salary Commission's report because it was deserved. For both the judiciary and the executive, their pay raises took effect July 1st of 2008. I support the raise for those individual legislators because it is a full-time obligation.

The pay raises also allow us to attract candidates to run for office and serve the people of Hawai'i. This past election, we had many seats that were uncontested.

Lisa: The state has seen an increase in unemployment. What is the state doing to help?

Say: In my opening-day address, I did address the future of the unemployment insurance fund. I would love to see us extend unemployment compensation benefits for those individuals who are still unemployed. Right now we have a measure before the Legislature in creating a state comprehensive training program for the people of Hawai'i.

We also are addressing the federal stimulus package of infrastructure construction, healthcare needs, and job creation for our people of the state of Hawai'i. Recognizing the increase in unemployment rolls, the Legislature is aware and cognizant that we are going to look at legislation to address this issue.

Tina: Would getting rid of tax credits really help balance the budget? Or will it force companies to take their business elsewhere?

Say: Like I stated on opening day, everything is on the table, from tax credits to tax exemptions, to tax deductions, to civil service reform, to collective bargaining issues.

In the past, I've always been an advocate for tax credits with a certain timeline of sunsetting. Tax credits are basically incentives for startup companies in the state of Hawai'i and having a review this year of all credits should be considered, as well as whether tax credits have helped us create more jobs.

I truly believe most companies would stay if we can control the overall cost of doing business in the state of Hawai'i.

Eye-to-Eye: I run a small nonprofit and the word is that there will be no grants-in-aid at all this session. Please say that is not the case. Nonprofits are already struggling and provide services that save the state time and money. There is a growing need. What is the plan for these grants in aid?

Say: Realistically, candidly, honestly, there are no resources or money for grants-in-aid. If you recall, last year, during the 2008 session, we did not address grants-in-aid for all nonprofits dealing with general fund dollars. I'm sorry to say that for this year, and for the next biennium, we need to address our constitutional mandate of balancing the budget. I can sympathize with the nonprofits, but like I shared with all of you, everyone has to tighten their belts by one or two notches.

Wendy Fujimoto: One inexpensive way of cutting wasteful spending is to post all government expenses online. The public will be able to monitor the way tax dollars are spent. You know, the students always behave when the teacher is watching. Do you think state expenses online will come to Hawai'i any time soon? A few states are doing it already.

Say: We passed a bill to post government expenses online, but unfortunately, the funds were not released for the Department of Accounting and General Services. I do support the project and hope that someday we will have government expenses online.

Jo: Do you support Hanabusa's efforts to raid the rail tax? Why or why not?

Say: I do not support raiding the rail tax from the City and County of Honolulu. It's very important to keep the momentum going and supporting our congressional delegation in soliciting federal funds.

It was the City Council and the city administration which enacted the half percent surcharge. Personally, I do not believe we should use that money to balance our budget and it may send a bad message to the Federal Transit Administration.

That said, I must caution you that everything is on the table, so this decision will not be mine alone.

Nahoaloha: I was reading about the invasive species program, and I hate to think it would have to be eradicated due to budget cuts. Do you have any ideas for how our environment could be protected during lean times?

Say: I agree wholeheartedly with you. I would hope that you and I could volunteer our time and service to address invasive species. Did you know that last year we did pass a bill that is now law that monitors invasive species from the West Coast and Asia to Hawai'i? It was a prevention measure to address miconia, coqui frog, fire ants, the gall wasp that eradicated all of our wiliwili trees, and varroa mites that have affected our honeybees. We will do our utmost to support prevention and eradication of invasive species within our budget.

Stan: How would you feel about nuclear power plants in Hawai'i to help us get off of fossil fuels?

Say: I did introduce a bill for a constitutional amendment to make it easier to establish a nuclear plant in Hawai'i. If it passes the Legislature, it will be on the ballot for the people to vote on.

Michael: I am a pessimist. I see the budget as quicksand. One struggles the deeper one sinks. Only if one is standing on someone else who sank earlier maybe one is able to keep from sinking deeper. Pity the bottom person, who has to shoulder all those people on top.

Say: I am an optimist, and I truly believe that the challenges we have are exciting and an opportunity to do some structural reforms.

Structural reforms in the area of tax reform, land use reform, housing and environment. So, I am very excited and ready to meet the challenge.

Hang in there, Mike.

Alenuihaha: What is your position, and the majority's position, on the ceded lands moratorium that was unveiled by the Native Hawaiian caucus this morning (Jan. 28)?

Say: I would take a go-slow approach because it has significant ramifications. We don't want any negative, unintended consequences if we act too hastily. There is no House majority position yet. The caucus still needs to consider it.

Ken: Any chance of an early-out program for longtime government employees at the top of the pay scale?

Say: Throughout my career, we have addressed this issue. I recall during the Cayetano administration we had a program of early retirement called ERIP which means Early Retirement Incentive Plan. What happened is that instead of saving money, we spent more on our retirees for benefits that they had accrued. So, at this time, I'm not a strong supporter of any early retirement plan.

PaloloBoy25: I heard about the plan from the Legislature to ship out the homeless. That's not pono. Why can't the state have a good plan to help the least among us? What is your plan for housing as more and more foreclosures come? I'm in your district by the way.

Say: Being a Palolo Boy56, I myself have some concerns about this particular legislation. It would be very difficult to implement. We are trying our best to address the unemployment and healthcare issues of our families and friends who have been laid off. Recognizing that foreclosures have increased compared to the past, I am aware that we have to do something. So in my opening day address I talked about the federal stimulus package in constructing more affordable housing, may it be rentals, or single-family units. Your questions are thought-provoking and I appreciate them very much.

William: I work full time. That means 40-plus hours a week, 50 weeks a year. Working 40-plus hours a week leaves little time for another job, yet most, if not all of the legislators have "second jobs." If, as you state, "I support the raise for those individual legislators because it is a full-time obligation," shouldn't that then require all the legislators to either work on legislative issues 50 weeks a year, or to give up their second jobs? I know that full-time police, fire personnel (surely you think legislators are at least as important as these public servants) are limited on taking second jobs because it might interfere with their primary jobs. Why are legislators any different?

Say: First, all of our lawmakers are dedicated public servants. They put in many hours at the Capitol and in their communities. The time put in is very hard on families. In fact, one of our young legislators last year decided not to run again due to family obligations. But to answer your question, the Legislature is established as a part-time body by the Constitution, even though our obligations are year-round.

Citizen: Will you support good government bills to open up the process to citizens, improve disclosure of lobbying and conflicts, and reduce the role of money in politics?

Say: I will evaluate each proposal on its merits.

Nanakuli Bill: Will you support our military's need to train in Makua?

Say: I do support the military's need to train at Makua. It is necessary for our country's military preparedness.