June 10, 1999

Ewa Neighborhood Board No. 23, February 10, 1999

Legislative Session Continues:

Civil Service Modernization

On February 8, 2000, the combined Finance and Labor Committees, both of which I am a member, spent over five hours taking testimony on two bills:

HB 1870 - Relating to the Public Employees Health Fund.

This bill would have limited the cost of the public employee health fund by capping the amount and type of medical benefits available to retirees and their spouses. The underlying issue is the overall cost of benefits. No one has focused on the fact that the State's contributions to the fund have been decreased over the past few years in order to balance the budget. Both committees voted to hold this bill. My reason for holding the bill is that it is unfair to cut back on benefits promised to an employee for their spouse upon retirement, and then renege on that promise after retirement. However, I emphasized to the Committees that according to the State Auditor, in 2013 the Health Fund will be short $11.4 billion, unless we take action to solve the problem. We need to control the cost of government some other way, not on the backs of those who served faithfully.

HB 2518 - Relating to Public Employment.

This is the Governor's civil service reform bill which creates a whole new flexible civil service scheme. The public worker unions testified strongly against virtually every aspect of this measure, refusing to consider any changes to our system and how taxpayer dollars are being spent. Both House Committees deferred action on this bill, to consider language for a House draft amendment.

Pay-at-the-Pump Insurance

I attended the February 7^th hearing held in Kapolei. It is clear that people are against this idea. It adds a new tax to the 80% of the people who have insurance to make sure the other 20% are covered. Drivers from outlying areas, such as Central and Leeward Oahu would pay much more for insurance than those who live in Honolulu.

Prisons

On February 8^th, myself and Representative Nestor Garcia, Chair of the House Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee, met with various community groups from the Kapolei area regarding some recent suggestions that a new correctional facility be located at "Barbers Point." As can be expected, most people are not enthused about a prison in their community. Representative Garcia is very open to community input and wants to avoid some of the recent disputes regarding where to locate a new a prison. He is not interested in cramming a prison down the throat of any neighborhood.

My position, and his, is that we should spend taxpayer dollars to build prisons in Hawaii, not on the mainland. The crucial issue will be where to locate them and working with the community concerned. According to Representative Garcia, the real need is for minimum security drug treatment facilities where inmates can get the help they need to get off drugs before they become career criminals.

I do not think Ewa, Kapolei, or Kalaeloa (Barbers Point) are realistic possible locations for a correctional facility or minimum security treatment facility.

Bills Introduced:

School Repair

Establishes a School Repair Fund to fix Hawaii's schools. Funding is come from the works of art special fund by taking 1/2 of the money currently allocated for 5 years. Additionally, taxpayers will be able to designate a portion of the taxes they already pay to go only to the school repair fund and thus only be used to repair public schools. HB 2383.

PTSA/PTSO Tax Exemption

Exempts Parent Teacher Student Associations and Organizations from the General Excise Tax (G.E.T.). Will increase funds raised to benefit public schools. HB 2382.

Village Park/Royal Kunia Health Survey

Requires a scientifically valid health survey of Village Park and Royal Kunia residents to determine if air, water or soil contamination from agricultural pesticides and other chemicals has impacted their health. HB 2386.

Mandatory Prison Term for Use of a Gun

Imposes mandatory prison sentences for all crimes where a firearm is used. HB 2399.

End of Life Decisions

Requires that the decision to end life must be made by the patient. Prohibits an employee of a health care facility from deciding to end a patient's life. HB 2784.

Partial-birth Abortion

Prohibits the intentional and artificial partial delivery of a baby in order to perform an abortion. HB 2785.

Construction Projects

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects such as Kapolei High School, Kapolei Library, Kapolei Judiciary Complex, Ewa Elementary, Kaleiopuu Elementary, Mauka Lani Elementary, Makakilo Elementary, Kapolei Elementary, Kapolei Parkway, North-South Road in Ewa, and Ft. Barrette Road in Kapolei. HB 2970.

Kapolei Library

Appropriates $1,000,000 to acquire books for the Kapolei Library. HB 2788.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programs

Appropriates funds and authorizes one position at UH West Oahu to expand the alcohol and substance abuse certification program. HB 2963. The House Higher Education Committee passed this bill unamended on February 9^th.

Hazardous Material Spills

Requires the Department of Health and the County Fire Departments study whether additional regulations are necessary to prevent chemical spills such as that at Campbell Industrial Park on Thanksgiving Day, 1999. HB 2786. HB 2962 is similar, appropriates funds for the study, and requires consultation with UH experts.

Real Estate Brokers

Permits real estate brokers to use the name by which they are known rather than their legal name, for example 'Ace' Smith instead of Ashburton T. Smith. HB 2787.

Shark Finning

Limits the cruel and wasteful practice of sharkfinning by requiring sharks be landed whole and that at least 50% of the shark by weight be utilized. HB 2381.

Backup Warning Signals

This bill will allow trucks to turn off their backup warning siren between midnight and 5:30 am. They will still have to use warning lights, but need not wake up the entire neighborhood. The House Transportation Committee passed this bill February 10, 2000. HB 2880.

Arrest Speeders

This bill allows the police to arrest those who exceed the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour. It should help the police control reckless and dangerous drivers. The House Transportation Committee passed this bill February 10, 2000. HB 2905.

Kalaeloa Street Names:

On February 4^th, the House Water and Land Use Committee voted unanimously to hold, or kill, House Bill 2917 which would have required changing the existing historic street names at Kalaeloa (former Naval Air Station Barbers Point). I along with representatives of 130,000 Hawaii veterans testified in strong opposition to this measure and the insult it gives to those who have served their country. A similar bill, SB 3118, will be heard by the Senate Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs Committee at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 14, in Room 225 of the State Capitol.

Assuming, as is likely, neither bill passes, this issue will remain in the hands of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station Redevelopment Commission. They are considering whether to hold a public hearing on whether or not to rename the existing streets, even though the Corporation Counsel advised them they were not required to change the names.

Kalaeloa Regional Park Master Plan Advisory Task Force:

The first meeting was held December 7, and the second meeting is tonight, February 10, 2000. Tonight's meeting provides the first chance to review a revised concept plan of the park and to provide detailed comments. A copy of the notice is attached.

State Sports Recreation Complex:

The Governor's amended budget requests $2 million to construct an interim recreation facility in Kapolei. These new soccer and softball fields are badly needed by our community. In addition, the Governor has released $1.8 million already appropriated to grade the sports complex site. A copy of his letter is attached.

Campbell High School Incident:

In response to the February 2 incident, I attended the Campbell High School PTSA meeting on February 9^th to learn about the district and school short and long range plans to alleviate the situation.

Voice of the Majority:

Each Saturday morning at 7 a.m. I host a radio show on KWAI called "The Voice of the Majority." Listen to 1080 on the am dial and feel free to call 524-1080 and talk to me on the air.