THEY are keeping a list and checking it twice, to see who has been naughty or nice. Nope, it's not Santa, but just about everyone else is starting to pick their friends for what appears to be one of Hawaii's most unusual election seasons. Legislators get word
on contributionsIt made headlines earlier when Larry Johnson, CEO of Bank of Hawaii, said his firm would be giving campaign money only to legislators who supported Gov. Ben Cayetano's Economic Revitalization Task Force proposals. Johnson was a prominent member of the task force.
While Johnson was immediately criticized for trying to bribe the Legislature, many saw it as business as usual.
Well, rewarding your friends, which essentially also serves to punish your enemies, is one of the things you intend to accomplish with campaign contributions.
The mood this year, however, is different, as legislators are getting lots of warnings about who is going to get the campaign bucks.
As the Hawaii Insurers Council and its political action committee executives noted in a recent letter to lawmakers: "We will be compiling voting records on issues affecting the economy and our business."
Money to be given to incumbents will be coordinated "with those of corporate PAC and individual contributions from those working in or with our member companies," the letter continued.
"We expect that our coordinated efforts could result in significantly larger contributions per candidate."
Is that clear enough? Do you need any more instructions?
If so, the police union, SHOPO, can help. Bennie C. Atkinson III wrote the Legislature last month with his own Christmas list. He said SHOPO was "reviewing the voting records of all lawmakers and other matters of interest as it pertains to political endorsements."
To help assess a legislator's "commitment to crime fighting and labor-related issues," SHOPO asks for a reason why you support or oppose four specific bills.
The bills dealt with increasing the penalties for fleeing from a police officer or assaulting a police officer and also for health tests for officers and putting police on the Employees Retirement System board.
Nothing really pivotal -- but at least now you know what it takes to win the support of Honolulu's finest.
Also putting on the squeeze, but in public, is Small Business Hawaii, a business support group run by GOP state Sen. Sam Slom.
In the organization's monthly newsletter there is a list of businesses that support the revitalization task force proposals and the groups opposing the task force's recommended excise tax increase.
"Clip and save for future reference when they seek your support," the article instructs.
THERE'S some good in all this new-found candidness. First it shows us what exactly will prompt a level-headed business operator to donate to a politician.
It also puts an end to the tacky practice of legislators hustling money at campaign fund-raisers during the legislative session.
You don't hear from these folks all year long and then just before they are to vote on a crucial piece of legislation, there they are standing by the door with their palms out.
Now, at least, instead of selling tickets to the ball, legislators won't get paid until after they dance.