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Hawaii voters in 2004 will see the state primary election moved up to early August from September, and candidates would get automatic recounts in close races, under a handful of political reform bills supported by House Democrats. Bill would move up
primary electionBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comHouse Vice Speaker Sylvia Luke (D, Nuuanu) said the state's primary election must be moved up to accommodate the automatic vote recount provision.
The changes were among the recommendations made by a state task force.
Luke said there must be absolute and immediate public confidence in election results.
"What happened in Florida during the last presidential election was a national embarrassment and should not be repeated -- in any U.S. election anywhere," Luke said.
Other political reform bills include banning corporations from making political contributions, mandatory ethics training for legislators, and forfeiture of the pensions of government and public officials after a criminal conviction.
In other news at the state Capitol this week:
>> State of the State: A tearful Gov. Ben Cayetano gave his eighth and last State of the State address this week. Cayetano thanked Cabinet members and reviewed highlights of his two terms, which were marked with major shortfalls in the state budget. He urged legislators to do whatever they need to do make Hawaii better -- even if it costs them their jobs.
>> Drug help for seniors: Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono and state Rep. Roy Takumi (D, Pearl City) are spearheading legislation to create a Hawaii prescription drug discount program that will lower drug prices, especially for seniors.
They said yesterday that they want the state to get a federal waiver to provide prescription medication to those without drug coverage, and establish a manufacturer rebate program.
>> Decentralized schools: House Republicans rolled out a package of bills yesterday aimed at decentralizing the Department of Education through measures that would establish district school boards, remove principals from collective bargaining and increase autonomy for charter schools.
Delighted House Democrats want similar decentralization concepts and say they are open to GOP ideas. The Republicans say the proof will be in the details.
>> Republican leader: The state House finalized its list of officers and committee assignments this week after approval was delayed because House majority leaders objected to state Rep. Charles Djou (R, Kaneohe) serving as minority floor leader and as a member of the House Finance Committee.
Republicans openly asked Democrats last week to mind their own business, while Democrats felt the GOP broke a gentlemen's agreement that House officers would not serve on any committees.
Djou and the GOP got their way, and Djou will serve in both capacities.
>> Traffic stop: Fourteen of 25 state senators have indicated on a bill they want to repeal the state's new traffic camera demonstration project after a public outcry on Oahu over its use to catch speeders.
>> Party disagreement: State Rep. Bob McDermott (R, Foster Village) called on Micah Kane, executive director of the Hawaii Republican Party, to resign as director for what he described as "troubling behavior" over the past month, including alleged fund raising at a caucus meeting at the state Capitol. Kane denies the allegations and wants to move past this disagreement.
McDermott acknowledges he is an outcast in the party and now feels pressure from both political sides of the House chamber.
>> High stakes: A new national study says Hawaii is one of nine states that are considering the gambling issue this year. Hawaii, Maryland and Ohio are all rated as having a moderate chance of expanding gambling in 2002, according to a Deutsche Bank study.
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