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Help Protect Cute, Fuzzy, Endangered . . . Plants?
Written by Robert Harris | Published in Resilient Habitats & Healthy Communities
The message below is courtesy of David Henkin of Earthjustice. We're working on a bill that would ensure that citizens have the right to stop violations of the endangered species act, particularly in the case of endangered plants. Hawaii is the endangered species capitol of the world. We need real and effective enforcement to ensure protection of our natural and cultural heritage.
After reading David's message, please consider submitting testimony by clicking This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Remember to include your full name, the bill number (SB 2277), and the time of the hearing (Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 2:45 p.m.).
Follow the money: corporations, Super PACs, and more
Written by Nikki Love | Published in Good GovernanceAs you know, as a result of the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision, the big issue in 2012 is unlimited corporate spending in campaigns via independent expenditures and Super PACs. Help us follow the money and support publicly funded elections with these important bills Thursday February 2 in House JUD at 2PM in Capitol Room 325.
Transparency for Independent Campaign Expenditures. HB2376 is a big step in improving transparency for money in politics. We know this is going to be a big year for campaign spending, and here in Hawaii, corporations and Super PACs are already registering for 2012. Unfortunately Hawaii's disclosure laws are out of date in the new post-Citizens United v. FEC era, and we deserve to know where all this money is coming from and where it is going. This bill will require more "persons" to report their campaign spending, improve the reporting by noncandidate committees (PACs and SuperPACs), add late expenditure reports to shine light on money spent just before an election, and improve the disclosures at the end of campaign advertisements. Please ask the committee to PASS this bill. Link to HB2376 here.
Do We Care If Drilling Holes in the Ground Has Environmental Impacts?
Written by Scott Glenn | Published in Smart Growth / TransportYet another attempt to complicate Chapter 343 like the tax code, this time with a special exemption for geothermal slim drilling wells. HB 2689 attempts to reduce public engagement -- exempting geothermal slim wells from any environmental review -- rather than build community consensus. Please let the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it know that we don't need more statutory exemptions from Chapter 343. They are hearing the bill Thursday, February 02, 9:00 a.m. at Conference Room 325.
The eloquent mandate of Chapter 343 is simple: it requires agencies and developers to tell the truth. The intent of our environmental review law is quite clear—to ask tough questions and disclose impacts of actions using state land or money. The law requires that environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impacts are fully disclosed so that decision makers can make informed decisions about permitted activities.
Chapter 343 also gives the public a voice and an opportunity to be heard.
Legacy Lands...Why Restrict Us?
Written by Diana Kucmeroski | Published in Resilient Habitats & Healthy CommunitiesThe Legacy Lands fund -- which allows the state to protect and acquire environmental, cultural, and agricultural important lands -- is under attack. This posting is courtesy of Lea Hong from Trust for Public Land on SB2378SB 2378 Relating to Legacy Lands will be heard on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 2:45 p.m. before the Senate Agriculture and Senate Water, Land and Housing Committees.Please submit testimony in opposition to this bill. Talking points in opposition to SB 2378:Read 217 times
Pedestrians Are People Too
Written by Scott Glenn | Published in Smart Growth / TransportThis posting is courtesy of John Goody of the AARP on HB 1666.
This bill is being heard by the Committee on Transportation on Wednesday, February 01, at 9:00 am in Conference Room 309. It is too late to submit testimony on this bill the normal way but you can email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or members of the committee (such as
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
). Even better, show up in person at the hearing and let them know this is important!
This bill addresses the penal code by defining vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians, cyclists, public safety officers and roadway workers. It further establishes enhanced penalties for drivers who, while committing a traffic offense under the code, seriously injure or kill a vulnerable user legally within the public roadway.
Hawaii’s roads are among the most dangerous in the country for pedestrians, cyclists and others who legally make use of the public right of way without being in a motor vehicle. The reason is simple, some drivers are aggressive or negligent, and don’t drive safely. When this results in an accident between two motor vehicles, it is often no more than a fender bender; but when it occurs between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable roadway user, it is often catastrophic to the unprotected user.