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AUGUST 19, 2010 — Dr. Lyla Berg was recently named to the Executive Board of the National Center for Learning and Citizenship (NCLC) at the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Read the media release Here and Lyla’s message from Portland Here

On February 2, 2010, Lyla become the first official candidate for Lt. Governor with mother, Carmen Yap Berg & brother Norman by her side.

Aloha!

I filed to run for Lt. Governor on February 2, 2010, and became the first official candidate. Why am I running? “The Lt. Governor’s office is what you make of it,” said one former Lt. Governor. He had used the office to create Hawaii’s A+ after school program and had it fully operational in only six months! Such revolutionary achievements are indeed possible by the Lt. Governor’s office, depending of course on who’s occupying it.

Albert Einstein once said, “The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them”. Yes, old, entrenched ideas and habits are difficult to alter. After three terms in the State House of Representatives, I’m convinced that government is often asking the wrong questions and continues to deal with the symptoms rather than the causes. This must change because we are living in different times.

As your Lt. Governor, I will make use of the office’s visibility and stature to help our State achieve much needed education reform. I have been blessed with the education and experience needed to do this. I am convinced that the only thing that will turn our economy and the tragic erosion of Aloha around is education, education, and more education — from early childhood, while people are in the work force, and after retirement.

The Lt. Governor’s office is also charged with the oversight of the State Office of Information Practices which administers Hawaii’s open records law, and also advises and accepts complaints regarding Hawaii’s Sunshine law (open public meetings). I think all would agree that the public deserves as much information as possible about how decisions are made by our State government.

Representative Berg makes her point during the 2010 State Legislative Session.

I’ve often challenged conventional wisdom and the status quo in the House and Legislature because going along to get along is just not how I look at things. I believe that in order to improve Hawaii’s quality of life, we must all work together to create a more just society in which everyone has an opportunity to succeed and find fulfillment. We must begin to eliminate the traditional political barriers, the gridlock that prevents new ideas and people from being included in a meaningful dialog that could lead to real problem solving. Above all, I believe in our people’s ability to make these changes happen.

Without a strong, well-managed educational system with clear accountability and greater transparency, we cannot hope to evolve from yesterday’s job skills to tomorrow’s new jobs which will lead to the economic and spiritual prosperity we all want to see for ourselves and for our keiki. Please read what I said in the October 24, 2009, issue of Time Magazine HERE.

During my years in elected office, I’ve continued to work directly with many community organizations and individuals on all of our islands. By working together to solve real-world problems, we’ve been able to create significant change. I believe that I can best continue our momentum and facilitate even more creative solutions as your Lt. Governor. You can learn more about my credentials, family, education and life experiences here — and please visit my Photo Gallery.

The Official Team Berg Parade Unit.

If I have somehow moved you to consider joining Team Berg, first and foremost, I’m asking for your vote in the 2010 Primary Election – and if possible, please help me with a small campaign contribution. I am running for Lt. Governor using Hawaii’s Public Funding mechanism and must raise $50,000 in $100-or-less contributions in order to qualify. I have always worked for campaign finance reforms and will continue to do so by example. I invite and welcome you to become a part of our effort to create a more prosperous and satisfying future for our keiki and Hawai`i. With your support and participation, we can achieve all of this and more.

Me ka mahalo,