COM 0778.003 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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reorganization, reconstru. _an and redevelopment of government to make it more responsive to the needs of the public and to make it more efficient. Our Hawaii Island Division has taken a number of steps to begin this process. First,we have continued to put emphasis in the implementation of the Organizing Model for stewards and membership empowerment and responsibility which began in the Fall of 1996. In this effort we are trying to have a steward in every workplace so that timely information is available to all employees and so that problems in the workplace can be addressed in a timely manner so that minor incidents or concerns do not get blown out of proportion. This translates to more services to the public and greater efficiency. Our Political Action Committee has held three informational forums for our membership regarding key island issues, they were on Prisons, Irradiation and Agriculture. In each forum we heard for key persons from the Big Island and the state on both sides of the issue followed by question from the membership to the panelist. We also had a forum on the recommendations fo the Economic Revitalization Task Force with Russell Okata,who was a member of the task force. The HGEA State Board of Directors has approved the support of the Task Force's recommendation to increase the General Excise Tax to 5.35%in conjunction with the recommendation to provide income tax relief. The HGEA support the recent rally held at the State Capitol and we have started an awareness campaign which includes this button that I am wearing. The 37 cents is the daily cost of the 1.35%Excise Tax Increase to a person or family that would spent $10,000, without any consideration for an income tax decrease. The State Board has also approve support for any other proposals that would provide for increases in state revenues. Our Island Division leadership has begun discussions regarding a more active role in meeting with our political leaders on both the state and county levels. We have meet with our Senators and Representatives to discuss issues regarding the hospital system, Child Protective Services, and the University of Hawaii Hilo College. We have called and urged our membership to call them regarding the support of the General Excise Tax increase. We have extended an invitation to the members of the Council to begin discussions regarding what can be done to make government more responsible and more responsive to the needs of the public.