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LEGISLATURE WRAP
It’s official—Hokule‘a
By Crystal Kua
is a state treasure
Star-BulletinWith a celebration scheduled for tomorrow at Kualoa Regional Park to mark the Hokule'a's 25th anniversary and homecoming from its historic journey to Rapa Nui, state lawmakers and the governor paid tribute to the Polynesian voyaging canoe and its crew this week.
Gov. Ben Cayetano proclaimed Hokule'a the first state treasure.
"Hokule'a has become a living treasure to the people of Hawaii," Cayetano said. "Her crews have traveled more than a hundred thousand miles throughout the Polynesian triangle, and she has stimulated great pride among all the people of our islands."
The Hokule'a was also honored on the floor of the state House yesterday.
Smooth sailing also prevailed in other ways around the state Capitol:
STATE BUDGET:
The state House passed a $6.4 billion supplemental state budget bill Thursday that would spend $187 million more than last year and adds about 600 new positions.Budget increases went to the Department of Education with $21 million, which pushes the department budget to above $1 billion, and to the University of Hawaii with $6 million.
The budget also includes $2.6 million or 99 positions to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through second grade in the public schools.
STATE REVENUES:
The approval of the House's version of the budget came after news that state tax revenues in February rose 7 percent over the same month last year.The state Council on Revenues then revised its revenue picture, telling lawmakers they will have $45 million more to spend in the next fiscal year.
NEW JUDGE:
Longtime state public defender Richard Pollack will be wearing a judge's robe after being confirmed this week by the state Senate for a 10-year appointment to the Circuit Court.
CABINET POSTS:
The Senate will vote as early as next week on whether to make the governor's interim appointments as state attorney general and budget director permanent.Cayetano named Earl Anzai to replace Margery Bronster as attorney general after the Senate rejected her reappointment last year. Neal Miyahira was selected as interim budget director in May after the Senate voted down Anzai's bid for a second term at the post.
BILL SWAPPING:
Bills to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes were among hundreds to pass before Thursday's crossover deadline when the state Senate and House voted on which measures should be sent to the other side for further consideration.Measures on civil service reform, gun control, privatization of a state prison and a 25-cent raise in the minimum wage also made the crossover cut.
UH AUTONOMY:
The state Senate passed a bill that would let voters decide if the University of Hawaii Board of Regents should have constitutional authority over all decisions within the UH system.
FIREWORKS PROPOSAL:
The state House presented its first fireworks proposal to senators during a conference committee this week.The House proposal, like the Senate's, tries to strengthen the existing ban on aerial fireworks but there is disagreement over giving the counties jurisdiction on fireworks.
You can track bills, hearings and other Legislature action via: Get involved
The Legislative Reference Bureau's public access room, state Capitol, room 401. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Phone: 587-0478; fax, 587-0793; TTY, 538-9670.
Neighbor islanders, call toll-free and enter ext. 70478 after the number:
Big Island, 974-4000; Maui,
984-2400; Kauai, 274-3141;
Molokai and Lanai, 468-4644.
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