Archive for the ‘Majority Caucus Members’ Category

Senator Ihara’s floor speech on campaign finance

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Senator IharaSenator Ihara gave the following speech on the floor on March 3, 2010:

Madame President. I rise in support of Senate Bill 2251, but with reservations.

First, I’d like to note that the bill description conceals what it actually does. The description says it “updates, organizes, and clarifies current campaign financing laws”, but the bill actually changes the current law in several important ways.

SB 2251 deletes an existing provision that limits corporate contributions to PACs at an aggregate amount of $1,000. The bill also deletes the requirement that all corporations must register as a political action committee.

While this bill is consistent with last year’s “Tavares” appeals court ruling. The ruling allows corporations to make direct contributions to candidates – but this bill does not provide for any reporting requirement.

The purpose of our campaign finance law is to provide transparency so the public can easily learn the funding sources of campaigns. For many years until the Tavares case, voters could conveniently see the expenditures corporations made to influence elections. But now there’s the cumbersome task of looking up dozens of candidate reports to tally how much a corporation contributes.

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In support of streamlined sales tax proposal

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Keiki Caucus

The Keiki Caucus, along with business and community leaders, yesterday gathered in support of SB 2405 and HB 2352, which would allow Hawaii to implement the streamlined sales and use tax agreement and collect taxes on out-of-state sales. Currently, Hawaii is unable to collect sales tax on out-of-state purchases, including those made through catalogs and over the Internet. The proposed measures would adopt amendments to Hawaii tax laws to implement the existing streamlined sales and use tax agreement.

The amount of sales and use tax revenues that have remained uncollected is significant. “Last year, the National Conference of State Legislatures calculated that $245.5 million was not collected by our state,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, chair of the Human Services Committee. “At the same time, hundreds of thousands of children and youth in Hawaii are being impacted by the cuts that have already been made in public education, child care, higher education, public health services, youth services and public assistance, to name a few.”

“Think about furlough Fridays,” suggested Representative John Mizuno. “If we had collected that $245 million, would this even be an issue?”

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Senate passes bill to address unemployment insurance rate hikes

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The Senate today passed HB 2169, which will help reduce increases in unemployment taxes for Hawaii businesses, while maintaining funding for unemployment benefits. Because the bill has already passed the House and was not amended by the Senate, it is expected to receive final House approval quickly, and that Governor Lingle will sign the bill into law next week. 

Senator Takamine“HB2169 will provide timely, significant tax relief for businesses while maintaining unemployment benefits for those who are underemployed or unemployed through no fault of their own.  Both the $241 million in tax relief over two years and ensuring the underemployed and unemployed have full unemployment benefits will support the state’s economic recovery,” said Senator Dwight Takamine, chair of the Labor Committee. “Ensuring adequacy of the Unemployment Trust Fund will buffer businesses against any reoccurrence of the current situation where businesses were hit with higher taxes precisely at the time that they can least afford it.” 

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Olympics first, Olympics always

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

by Senator Espero
District 19

2010 Olympics

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver is underway.  Millions of viewers around the world, including those in Hawaii, are experiencing the thrill of competition among elite athletes from around the globe.  Small state that we are, both in size and population, Hawaii has itself produced its share of champions, a fact that should inspire our young people and their parents and coaches.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s first offering for 2010 is coincidentally, the true story of Olympic swimming champions from Puunene, Maui.  On the opening night for “The Three Year Swim Club,” Hawaii Olympian Bill Smith proudly showed his two gold medals to the audience.  More than 150 original “Swimming Club” members, their families and friends attended the performance.  Albeit, swimming is a summer Olympic, not a winter one, but the play reminds us of the incredible achievements that can happen with hard work, encouragement, a spirit of belonging, and focus on a goal.

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Hilo legislators to host mid-session community meeting

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Senators Russell Kokubun and Dwight Takamine, and Representatives Jerry Chang, Clift Tsuji and Faye Hanohano will be hosting a mid-session community meeting in Hilo to provide residents an opportunity to share their concerns about legislation in progress and community issues. Senator Takamine says “this meeting is an opportunity for residents to engage in an open dialogue with their legislators and participate in the conversation about projects affecting people the Hilo area.”

WHEN: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
          7:00 p.m.
WHERE: University of Hawai‘i, Hilo
          UCB Room 127

The public is invited to attend and participate in the open forum to inform and educate their legislators on issues that are affecting their communities. The legislators will also be sharing updates on education, budget and projects on the Big Island.

Opening of Kapolei North-South Road

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Kualakai Parkway
Senator J. Kalani English released the following statement on the opening of the final phase of Honolulu’s H-1 Freeway North-South Road in Kapolei:

“Everyone in public service has been reminded of the saying that ‘the wheels of government turn slowly.’ Perhaps. But I am pleased to join you this morning as we make it possible for the wheels carrying the people of Kapolei to turn much more quickly. This is a testament to the hard work of many people in the Governor’s office, the Department of Transportation, and in the community who have continued to push forward despite the challenges this project met over the years. I also want to commend my colleagues in the legislature for acknowledging the importance of this project to our community, and appropriating the funds that made this day possible.

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Be counted in 2010

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Senator Esperoby Senator Will Espero
District 19

To be counted or not to be counted – that is the question than can result in millions of dollars for Hawaii. More than $300 billion a year for ten years, $3 trillion in all, is up for grabs – want some of it?

How that money is going to be distributed and spent will be determined by the results of the 23rd Census of the United States, coming to your household soon. The data collected in this year’s census directly affects how federal and state funds are allocated to states and communities for transportation, education, public health, neighborhood improvements, and much more. The information provided by the Census affects funding decisions for child care centers and programs; schools, universities and community colleges; health care clinics and hospitals; roads, bridges, traffic lights, and highway improvements; infrastructure, and many other issues. That is why it is so important that each household in Hawaii takes the few minutes to fill out and mail in their Census questionnaire. This will help ensure that your community gets its fair share of government funding.

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Senator Ihara’s floor speech on Ed Kubo judicial confirmation

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Senator IharaSenator Les Ihara, Jr. offered the following comments in opposition to Ed Kubo’s judicial confirmation during a floor speech on Wednesday, February 3, 2010:

“Madame President. I rise in opposition to G.M. 109.

I would like to first acknowledge the outstanding service Mr. Kubo has provided to our nation and state as the former Hawaii U.S. Attorney. I particularly appreciate his extensive involvement in our community, and I wish him well if he is confirmed today.

Madame President, I was not so troubled by the non-disclosure issues that have been discussed, but I believe a fundamental value in our system of democracy is the respect of law. And in the judiciary branch of government there is no higher value than the respect of law.

I believe the nominee failed to demonstrate respect for the law in an incident that occurred in his judicial confirmation process. I believe his actions were inadvertent, but since he indicates they were intentional…I must respectfully disagree.

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Senate committees to twitter hearing updates

Monday, February 1st, 2010

TwitterThe Senate announced today that several committees will be participating in a pilot project using Twitter to provide real-time updates on the progress of committee hearings.  The Senate Committees on Higher Education (HRE), Consumer Protection (CPC), and Health (HTH) will be sending messages to let followers know that the hearing has convened, the bill or measure being discussed, and when the hearing adjourns.

“The new social media is the perfect tool to “tweet” real-time updates during our hearings to keep the public informed,” said State Senator Jill Tokuda, chair of the Committee on Higher Education.

“There are times when members of the public want to be in two different hearings at the same time,” said Senator Rosalyn Baker, Chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection.  “Twitter will also help the public with long hearing agendas, so they can monitor the committee’s progress and return to the hearing when we are discussing the measure of interest.”

“The Twitter Pilot Project is part of our on-going efforts to use technology to improve public access to the legislative process,” said Senator David Ige, Majority Technology Leader.  “We have improvements in the Capitol website, with video archives of legislative proceedings, and bill tracking systems.”

To get real-time hearing updates join the following Senate Committees on Twitter at:

 

Senator Hanabusa’s closing remarks at Gov. Lingle’s State of the State

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and Governor Linda Lingle

“Thank you Governor Lingle. On behalf of Speaker Say, the legislature, and more importantly the people of the state of Hawaii, we thank you for your public service.

My colleagues and I have all commented on the fact that this will be the most difficult legislative session that we will all face, many of us, probably, for our whole legislative careers. This is a time when we must work collaboratively. And for the people of the state of Hawaii, collaboratively doesn’t mean that we will always agree. Debate is good. Discussion is good. And we know, Governor, that we have had many of those over these years.

But what that means for everyone is that we will leave no stone unturned. That is what we must do to meet this challenge. And I know that the legislature, the Governor, and her cabinet, we’re all up to it, because we must be, for you, the people of the state of Hawaii.

I do want to say something that has never been emphasized, and in the honoring of Coach Shoji the Governor didn’t mention it, but I think it is also very important that in Governor Lingle we saw the first woman governor of the state of Hawaii. And as we heard the stories of Coach Shoji’s amazing career, we have spent all these years thinking as a girl, “We’re better than the boys; look at all the things he wins.” And as I look up at the robotics team and see so many young girls, remember, remember in the future, that you saw the first woman governor of the state of Hawaii. And we all owe you, Governor, a debt of gratitude for that. Because that propels girls and women ahead.

So on that note, Governor, again, on behalf of all of us, we thank you. We look forward to working collaboratively with you in this last year.

And now, I declare this joint session adjourned.”