In The News
Lawmakers Battle Issues To Bitter End
April 27, 2006
KGMB9
Tomorrow is deadline day at the legislature. Several major bills must either pass or wait another year.
Gas Cap
Topping the list is the gas cap. Lawmakers agree the law should be repealed, but they continue to bicker over how to do it.
The latest proposal, unveiled tonight, would suspend the gas cap for two years. During that time, the oil companies would have to show their pricing methods to the public.
If lawmakers are happy with that transparency, the gas cap would be axed for good in 2008. But if prices get too high during the two-year suspension, the governor could put the cap back in place.
However, it now appears a new offer is being put on the table.
“We’re going to be making a proposal to the Senate, a counter proposal, and I’m sure we’re not going to be taking any action knowing the Senate is going to take it back and review come back tomorrow again,” said Transportation Committee chair Rep. Joseph Souki (D).
Rep. Souki would not disclose the details of the offer presented in a committee meeting today.
If an agreement is not reached by 6 p.m. tomorrow, the bill will die in conference committee and the current gas cap law will remain in effect.
Kukui Gardens
It looks like all the protesting from residents may pay off. Lawmakers tell us they will pass a bill tomorrow that would allow the state to eventually buy the affordable housing complex, all to keep a mainland developer from coming in and raising the rents.
Residents are hopeful.
“I know in my heart it’s going to pass and it’s going to be a good thing for our people,” said Carol Anzai of the Kukui Gardens Association.
“This particular housing complex, with 857 units and thousands of people, is an extremely valuable affordable housing project that the state cannot afford to lose,” said Sen. Ron Menor with the Consumer Protection Committee.
The complex, located outside Chinatown, is priced at about $130 million. According to the bill, before the state shells out that much money, housing officials would negotiate with the current owner to keep the rents from going up.
Traffic Light Cameras
A plan to use cameras to catch red light runners may not make it through the legislature.
The plan is piggy-backing a larger pedestrian safety bill that allows each county to determine where the problem areas are, where people are running red lights and a plan would be in place to install the cameras.
Most of the people KGMB9 talked with today think it’s a good idea, however the plan is stuck in a committee. Lawmakers are concerned over privacy issues.
The state tried a similar tactic in the past with van cams, mounted inside vans that caught people speeding. It turned out to be very unpopular.
The Three Strikes Law
A committee today passed the bill that would send repeat violent offenders to prison for at least 30 years. Burglary would not be included as a strike.
Higher Cigarette Tax Bill
A new cigarette tax bill appears to be passing tomorrow. Lawmakers plan to raise the tax six cents, bringing the state $60 million a year in additional revenue.
Any bills that pass tomorrow will go to the full House and Senate for final votes next week.
