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Issues ahead: The 21st state Legislature opened this week with pledges to spend more money on education and other areas to help Hawaii's working families -- after lawmakers pay the bill for the Felix consent decree and union pay raises.
Hawaiian rights,
education funds,
helmets, jurors
By Pat Omandam
Star-BulletinThe state Senate and the Republican minority in both chambers find themselves under new leadership, while returning House Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo) contends with a bigger and bolder Republican contingent and an outspoken former majority leader, Ed Case (D, Manoa).
House Republicans already have challenged the adoption of House rules. Case openly opposed House committee assignments and said some of his Democratic colleagues were not qualified to do the people's work.
This is what's coming up at the Legislature, and also a look back at the first week.
State of the State, Judiciary
On Monday, Gov. Ben Cayetano gives his next-to-last State-of-the-State address, setting the tone for his remaining two years. Insiders say the governor's vision for the state will "shoot for the moon" for the remainder of his term.
The address is at 10 a.m. in the House chambers.
On Tuesday, Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon delivers the State-of-the-Judiciary address in the Senate chambers.
Those under age 16 who ride scooters or skateboards must wear helmets, under one bill introduced this session. Another bill makes permanent a 1999 state law that allows privately funded hemp research in Hawaii.
Hawaii jurors would be paid $100 per day, while college students and teachers would be exempt from jury duty, under other legislation. Bills for fluoridation, meal breaks after five hours of work and the elimination of the state's safety inspection for vehicles under 10,000 pounds also were introduced this week.
Hawaii's youth and families were the theme for this year's Red Mass on Thursday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. The Mass is held annually at the start of the session as lawmakers seek divine guidance.
Retired Judge James Aiona Jr. said the community has an obligation to troubled young people and their families, and it can't just abandon this segment because of their problems.
Lawmakers have been asked to add $107 million in an emergency appropriation to cover unanticipated higher costs in the current fiscal year so the departments of Education and Health can comply with the decree.
Yesterday, state auditor Marion Higa released a report that said some progress was made but the state won't be able to determine the true cost of helping Hawaii's special-needs children until it has a working definition of who qualifies for the program.
Native groups and supporters gathered twice this week at the state Capitol to remind lawmakers to champion Hawaiian rights and entitlements.
Meanwhile, proponents who seek to ban discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation complete an eight-day nonviolent demonstration on Monday when they present a petition to Attorney General Earl Anzai.
Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
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