Archive for the ‘Sen. Tsutsui’ Category

Special committee to consider approaches to teacher furloughs

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Furlough Friday Rally at the CapitolParents against furlough Fridays Rally at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, October 23, 2009.

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa today announced that a Special Committee of the Hawai‘i State Senate will convene to consider the options available to address the question of teacher furloughs.

“I am proud that my colleagues are stepping up with a battery of ideas to solve the teacher furlough problem,” said Senator Hanabusa, “but every option raises questions. We need to look at not only whether money is available, but how we can ensure that any money we appropriate gets released by the governor and goes to education. We also need to answer some fundamental questions about whether any action we take will interfere with a collectively bargained agreement between the state, the DOE, and the teachers’ union. The right to collective bargaining is guaranteed in our state Constitution, so this is a significant concern.”

Hanabusa added that, “The worst thing we can do is build false hopes. We need to act responsibly. This is a complicated situation and a lot of different parties will have to come together to work out a solution. But this committee will get the ball rolling.”

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Maui legislators to hold “Talk Story” session

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Senator Tsutsui

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Representative Gil Keith-Agaran, and Representative Joe Souki will be holding a “Talk Story” session at Maui Waena Intermediate School cafeteria on Tuesday, March 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The event is a discussion where Senator Tsutsui will give a legislative update and overview of the state biennium budget. During these challenging times in the economy, Maui residents are concerned over budget cuts and how it will affect them. Senator Tsutsui wants to assure them that he is committed to keeping the people of Maui well served.

Residents in the community are welcome to attend the event and “talk story” with the three legislators. He is open to answering questions and listening to concerns from community members and discussing current legislative issues affecting their lives.

Collaboration on Everyone’s Part Can Help Hawaii Prosper in Tough Economic Times

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

Senator TsutsuiBy Hawaii State Senator Shan S. Tsutsui

With the election season officially over, it is now essential that the people of Hawaii refocus our attention to the challenges that face our community and work together to find the best ways to shape and improve our state.

We see the signs on the daily news, hear them in the concerned voices of friends and family, and feel them in our wallets. The effects of our slowing state economy are beginning to show across our community. Local businesses face higher costs for energy, rent, and health insurance, while confronting lower gross revenues. And even as we search for solutions, we share an uneasy sense that reduced visitor arrivals, changes to the landscape on Wall Street, and fluctuating oil prices may be permanent conditions. People nervous about spending their money, in part because we can assume that when the economy improves, tomorrow’s business landscape will not look the same as yesterday’s.

Dialogue and Compromise Are the Keys to Success

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

Senator Tsutsui

Senator Tsutsui

By Hawaii State Senator Shan S. Tsutsui

As the population of Maui County has increased, it has become apparent that we continue to experience the pains that come with an expanding community. Many of our new kama‘aina have ideas of how things should be done based on their outside experience, while many long-time kama‘aina remember the traditional approach to doing things.

This difference in views is bound to make for vibrant and sometimes heated discussions. In some cases (more…)

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui to Hold Community Talk Story

Tuesday, March 7th, 2006

tsutsui Senator Shan S. Tsutsui (D-Central Maui) will be will be holding a “Talk Story” at the Maui Waena Intermediate School Library on Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 10:00am to 11:30am. All members of the community are welcome to join the Senator to discuss community concerns and current actions pending in the 2006 Legislature.

Click here for a full copy of the press release.

Tsutsui Expresses Concerns on Superferry Operations

Friday, February 17th, 2006

tsutsui  In a February 17, 2006 Viewpoint article to the Maui News, Ways and Means Vice Chairman, Senator Shan S. Tsutsui expressed his concerns regarding Hawaii Superferry operations as currently planned.

Click here for a copy of the press release.

Senator Tsutsui Comments on Governor’s Release of $765,000 for H.P. Baldwin High School

Friday, February 3rd, 2006

comment  After months of waiting, students, faculty and parents at Henry Perrine Baldwin High School can celebrate the long delayed release of funds from the Governor’s Office to design and expand a new library. A key proponent of the appropriation, Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, announced the release of $765,000 on February 3rd, and praised the hard work of the students, faculty and parents who lobbied Maui legislators for the new library.

Click here for a copy of the press release.

Senator Tsutsui Seeks Public Comment on Proposal to Purchase the 1.6-Acre Waiehu Beach Park

Friday, February 3rd, 2006

seeks  Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice-Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Senate Majority Caucus Leader, announced that on Monday, February 6th, the Senate Committee on Business and Economic Development will hear Senate Bill 3110 relating to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources purchase of the 1.6-acre Waiehu Beach Park. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend or provide testimony at the hearing.

Click here for a copy of the press release.