Beth Fukumoto

Beth Fukumoto served three terms in the Hawaii House of Representatives where she was recognized as one of Washington Post’s “40 under 40″ rising political stars, Business Insider’s “8 of the most influential millennial women in US politics,” and Apolitical’s “100 Future Leaders: The World’s Most Influential Young People in Government.” She was the youngest woman in the U.S. to lead a major party in a legislature, the first elected Republican to switch parties after Trump’s election, and a Democratic congressional candidate. Currently, she works as a political commentator and teaches leadership and ethics at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Beth Fukumoto: Fixing The Gender Pay Gap Means Tackling Child Care And Paid Leave Getty Images/iStockphoto

Beth Fukumoto: Fixing The Gender Pay Gap Means Tackling Child Care And Paid Leave

Women in Hawaii keep up pretty well with men until they have children or take on the responsibility of caring for relatives.

Beth Fukumoto: Why Isn’t The Legislature Doing More To Address Hawaii’s High Cost Of Living? Big Island Hunger/2018

Beth Fukumoto: Why Isn’t The Legislature Doing More To Address Hawaii’s High Cost Of Living?

While our budget isn’t as tight now as it was in previous years, we have limited resources and a lot of priorities.

Beth Fukumoto: Lawmakers Need A Better Plan For Figuring Out The Cost Of Legislation Danny de Gracia/Civil Beat/2023

Beth Fukumoto: Lawmakers Need A Better Plan For Figuring Out The Cost Of Legislation

Hawaii is the only state that doesn't require a fiscal analysis of a bill before lawmakers vote on it.

Beth Fukumoto: The Path Through A Bitterly Divided Congress Is Through The Middle Nick Grube/Civil Beat/2023

Beth Fukumoto: The Path Through A Bitterly Divided Congress Is Through The Middle

Hawaii Congressman Ed Case is one of the few looking for a way to compromise with Republicans.

Beth Fukumoto: Why I Love The State Budget Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Beth Fukumoto: Why I Love The State Budget

It forces the truth and makes us put our priorities on paper.

Beth Fukumoto: 3 Things The Hawaii Legislature Should Do To Increase Competitive Elections Getty Images

Beth Fukumoto: 3 Things The Hawaii Legislature Should Do To Increase Competitive Elections

Ranked choice voting, more accurate voter rolls and public financing of campaigns are easily doable this session if the political will is there.

Beth Fukumoto: A Bipartisan Spirit Continues To Elude Hawaii’s GOP Legislators Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Beth Fukumoto: A Bipartisan Spirit Continues To Elude Hawaii’s GOP Legislators

It’s hard to encourage cooperation across the aisle when you’re championing many of the same issues that are tearing the country apart.

Beth Fukumoto: Interested In Tracking Certain Topics This Legislative Session? Follow The Caucus Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Beth Fukumoto: Interested In Tracking Certain Topics This Legislative Session? Follow The Caucus

Bills attached to specific interest groups often stand a higher chance of advancing because of their collective power.

Beth Fukumoto: 5 Rules For A Great Political Speech Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Beth Fukumoto: 5 Rules For A Great Political Speech

Captivating speeches should compel the audience to do something about a collective problem or continue acting on a successful solution.