July 21, 1999
Report to the Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34
Governor Nominates Earl Anzai to be Attorney General
:Although confirmation hearings for Mr. Anzai would be amusing, the solution is to elect the Attorney General. The House Republicans support giving the people the right to choose who will be the Attorney General and will again introduce a bill for this purpose.
Special Session of the Legislature:
House and Senate leaders could not agree as to what bills would be considered in a special session of the legislature. So, for the moment, it appears there will not be a special session. This is unfortunate, since the legislature did not do its job during the last session. I support a special session if we can do some good and justify the cost of meeting. The House of Representatives position is that at least two bills need our immediate attention, but the Senate wanted to consider about 24 bills. The House bills were:
Economic Stimulation – Senate Bill 1325 was intended to increase tourism by providing a tax credit for renovating hotels. However, the House and Senate could not agree as to what percentage tax credit was appropriate, and left the amount blank. The Governor vetoed this meaningless bill. We need broad tax relief for everyone to stimulate our economy and create jobs. This bill is a start and we need to take action now.
The other bill is an emergency appropriation to pay $2.1 million to the federal government for refunds from the Hawaii Public Employees Health Fund -- otherwise the state would owe Washington $200,000 to $300,000 in interest.
Personally, I would like to attempt to override the veto of Senate Bill 1119 – "Reubyne’s" Bill. This bill would have shifted the burden of proving mental or emotional distress to the defendant in murder cases. If the defendant establishes they were under an extreme mental or emotional distress, the crime is reduced to manslaughter. The Governors veto leaves the burden of proving that the defendant was not under mental or emotional distress on the prosecution.
Kalaeloa (Barbers Point) Open to the Public
The beaches and most other areas of Kalaeloa - Barbers Point - are now open to the public. It is up to us to treat the `aina with respect and clean up after ourselves and others. This is part of our community now and we are all responsible.
Waiahole Ditch Transfers to State
On July 14th we held a ceremony transferring the Waiahole ditch irrigation system to the State. The fees paid over the next 20 years by water users will pay back the State revenue bonds that were needed to finance the purchase and repair of the system. We need diversified agriculture on the Ewa plain - and agriculture needs water. Please continue to buy locally grown fresh produce - the best in the world.
Kapolei Middle School Opens August 30th
After years of hard work by all of us in the community, we finally have our own middle school - and the high school is on the way! Kapolei Middle School opens August 30th. In coordination with HPD, the Middle School PTSA is going be out on the roads waiving signs to remind people to slow down and be careful. We plan to waive July 30, and August 2 through 5, from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and 2 -3 p.m. If you want to join us call the PTSA Community Liaison (Mark Moses), 586-8500 or the PTSA Vice President (Suk Moses) at 672-8550.
Monthly Newsletter by E-mail
We are thinking of sending out a monthly e-mail newsletter to keep everyone up to date. You can subscribe by contacting me at: repmoses@capitol.hawaii.gov
Official State Page: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/house/members/rep42.htm
Home Page: http://www.aloha.net/~msmoses/mark.htm