Mayors say union
could devastate
state's economy
The state employees union objects
to private engineering contracts
Guide to the lawmakers of the '98 LegislatureOpening day speeches, festivities
By Craig Gima
Star-BulletinCounty mayors are worried that government construction could grind to a halt because of objections by the Hawaii Government Employees' Association to engineering consulting contracts. "The state's economy will be devastated," predicted Maui Mayor Linda Lingle.
Lingle said government does not have the expertise to design and engineer most construction projects.
But Keith Ahue, HGEA deputy director, called Lingle's statement "a gross overreaction."
Ahue said no contracts have been canceled and the union is simply going through a review set up by the courts.
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris agreed with Lingle and called HGEA's objection to private engineering contracts "ridiculous."
"You're going to see a tremendous increase in the size of government," Harris said.
Both mayors said that if the union prevails, it would mean counties would have to set up government engineering and architectural firms.
Ahue said that until the court review is completed, it is too early to predict what will happen.
Besides private engineering contracts, Lingle said unions on Maui have objected to contracts for tree trimming, air-conditioning maintenance, abandoned-vehicle removal, bus transportation and parks maintenance.
The parks maintenance contract involves a nonprofit company that provides job training for the developmentally disabled, Lingle said.
"As we predicted," Lingle said, "it's across the board."
Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka said union objections to privatization forced the county to spend $182,713 to hire additional employees and to provide a facility for bus maintenance.
Kusaka said the private contract cost the county $57,968.
Lingle added that getting a privatization bill passed would be the top legislative priority of all four county mayors.
Ahue said the union would also be pursuing a privatization bill.
HGEA's bill would formalize a process to ensure that jobs are protected when counties or the state privatize services.
"The larger issue is what makes sense," Ahue said. "Blanket approval of privatization contracts without review on the impact on current employees is dangerous and irresponsible."
Ahue added that the union believes some government services can and should be privatized.
But he said HGEA does not think there will be a crisis if the issue is not addressed this session.
County mayors disagree.
"I don't think the Legislature can duck it (privatization) this year. They've got to pass legislation," said Harris.
Harris said his administration is working on a bill to allow the city to keep existing private contracts and to continue efforts to expand privatization as long as current employees will keep their jobs.
Lingle and the other mayors are also working on privatization legislation.
Lingle said union objections are taking county attorneys away from other matters and the uncertainty over privatization makes it impossible for the county to budget the cost of services.
Ahue said there is room for compromise in the debate over privatization. "There is some middle ground. We think there is an appropriate solution," he said.
Panel may give voters
By Pat Omandam
a say on euthanasia
Star-BulletinA state panel looking into doctor-assisted suicide is leaning toward giving voters a say on whether people can choose to die. But opponents of the practice say the issue is too complex for the ballot box.
The 18-member Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Living and Dying yesterday affirmed its decision earlier this month that Hawaii residents have a voice on whether to legalize physician-assisted suicide.
Panel chairman Hideto Kono yesterday said a majority of the panel recommended Hawaii citizens be given the opportunity to debate and enact the law based on guidelines tentatively set by the panel.
Those guidelines specify that Hawaii residents have the autonomy and control over the timing and manner of their death; that legal sanctions against physicians who provide lethal provisions be removed from the criminal code, and that safeguards be enacted to ensure reasonable alternatives to death are explored.
"What we are saying is that perhaps we should not be the one that finally decides whether a physician-assisted suicide should be or not, but we would recommend the law be changed to let the voters decide," Kono explained.
But Andresen Blom, executive director of Hawaii Right to Life, said the issue may be too complicated for voters.
Blom said massive education of voters, as well as a clear public policy from the panel, is needed before the issue is placed on the ballot.
"This raises the issue of can we really, in an election-type situation, get the kind of complex information and understanding out to the public that is necessary for them to make an informed decision," Blom said.
Kono said the panel will meet Feb. 11 to continue reviewing a state model on physician-assisted suicide as well as procedures to enact it.
