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Lawmaker insists district
projects are not just porkFreshman state Rep. Jon Karamatsu (D, Waipio) is urging Gov. Linda Lingle not to stop funding for capital improvement projects in his district because they are real needs "and the requests are not just 'pork.'"
Karamatsu, who sits on the House Finance Committee, has started a petition drive in hopes to persuade Lingle to release $200,000 to air-condition the Honowai School Library, $125,000 to expand the parking lot and driveway at Waikele Elementary School and $3.2 million to improve the Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria.
Karamatsu said these projects may face restrictions because they are not on the Department of Education's priority list.
"I am asking people to come forward and support our schools and children," he said last week.
Lingle has until next Monday to indicate what bills she intends to veto. Her last day to sign, veto or allow a bill to become law without her signature is July 8.
House OKs Mink P.O.
The U.S. House approved a bill last week that would rename the Paia Post Office (96779) on Maui after the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink. The bill passed on a unanimous vote last Tuesday and had 115 co-sponsors.U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii), who was elected to Mink's seat in January, said Mink's husband, John, suggested the Paia Post Office be renamed as a fitting memorial.
"I am glad for the Mink family and for the people of Maui and Hawaii that Congress has taken this small but appropriate action to recognize Congresswoman Mink's enormous contributions to our state and nation," Case said.
The bill will now be referred to the Senate.
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