Editorials
Friday, April 18, 1997SEN. Brian Kanno went into hiding last year to avoid advocates of workers compensation reform who were protesting his refusal to move three reform bills. This year the co- chairman of the Human Resources Committee was at least willing to face his critics. But he is still blocking action on workers compensation -- an issue of vital importance to Hawaii employers, who are paying some of the highest rates in the country. Kanno should lose
his committee chairKanno's behavior is clear evidence of the control the labor unions still exert over the Legislature and Hawaii politics overall. Despite another demonstration by small-business representatives, Kanno refused to resurrect a bill aimed at reducing medical costs under workers compensation.
Republican Sen. Sam Slom, a longtime small-business advocate, had to ask Kanno three times if he would hold a hearing on the measure before Kanno favored him with a reply -- no. Slom and Democratic Sen. Norman Sakamoto, one of the founders of the workers comp reform movement, said it was unconscionable for one lawmaker to block reform. Sure it is, but this is Hawaii and the unions are behind Kanno.
Kanno and Senate leaders said they are committed to reducing workers comp medical costs, but they want it done without diminishing the quality of care for injured workers. What that means is that they won't approve any changes without the unions' OK. Their plan is to refuse to act in the current session and study the issue later. Both Slom and Sakamoto scoffed at this transparent stalling tactic.
If the Democratic leadership of this state was sincerely committed to improving the business climate in Hawaii and reviving the ailing economy, this wouldn't be happening. If a change of heart on the part of the leadership should miraculously occur, one of the signs would be the removal of Brian Kanno from his committee co-chairmanship. That would strip him of his power to block workers comp reform.
HAWAII'S Democratic Party establishment seems to be following a pattern set in Washington. In the nation's capital, Attorney General Janet Reno is standing by her refusal to appoint an independent counsel to investigate campaign spending abuses. In Hawaii, the state Campaign Spending Commission refused, on a 2-1 party-line vote, to hold hearings on allegations by the Republican Party that Ben Cayetano's campaign organization exceeded spending limits in his successful gubernatorial bid in 1994. See no evil
HOUSE-SENATE negotiators should be commended for reaching agreement on a compromise to resolve the impasse over same-sex marriage. In return for accepting unambiguous language for a proposed constitutional amendment granting the Legislature the authority to reserve marriage to persons of the opposite sex, the Senate negotiators won approval of broad marital benefits and rights for homosexual couples and others who register as "reciprocal beneficiaries." Same-sex marriage
We continue to favor state recognition of same-sex marriage but believe that the people of Hawaii should have the opportunity to vote on the issue, as they will have if the proposed constitutional amendment is approved by the Legislature.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
