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GRC-20 Page 3 September 18, 2012 <br /> Ms. Smart moved to amend Resolution 280-12 with the contents of Communication 287.5; <br /> seconded by Mr. Hoffmann. <br /> Ms. Smart explained that it was problematic that different council races were not equal in <br /> receiving funds, so that is part of the amendment. The amendment also adds the date when the <br /> program is set to expire. There was concern that by spreading the program statewide, that it may <br /> jeopardize Hawai`i County's program, so language is added to protect the program. Another <br /> point is to urge the legislature to put campaign spending caps on non-publicly funded campaigns, <br /> but found that would be a violation of the constitution regarding freedom of speech. There are <br /> further amendments to be brought forward at a later date. <br /> Mr. Hoffmann stated that a problem has surfaced for a candidate using the comprehensive public <br /> funding in a race where the prior candidate was elected in the primary election and did not have <br /> to run in the general election. In this case, no additional funds are available for the next <br /> candidate who may have both a primary election and a run-off in the general election. <br /> Mr. Yagong noted that although there will be additional amendments brought forward, the <br /> amendment currently before the committee should be voted on,and then a motion made to <br /> postpone. He will support the amendment as presented. <br /> Mr. Onishi stated that the Supreme Court in Arizona ruled that equalization funding was <br /> unconstitutional. This prompted some councilmembers to ask the Legislature to look at the <br /> public funding pilot project, because there were flaws in it that would become problems later. <br /> The Legislature did not do anything, and now we are seeing some of those problems. <br /> Ms. Ford said she is in support of the amendment,but found a problem in the clause that says the <br /> Public Funding Program is set to expire in 2014. There is supposed to be three election cycles; <br /> 2010, 2012 and 2014. If set to expire in 2014, it implies January 1, 2014 and that is not correct. <br /> It should state that it expires after the general election in 2014. <br /> Ms. Smart stated that she would rather not vote on the amendment at this time, since there will <br /> be additional measures brought forward to amend the resolution. <br /> Mr. Yoshimoto suggested modifying the language to equalize the funding for all districts and <br /> also agreed with Ms. Ford regarding the end date for the program. He also suggested changing <br /> the request for expanding the program statewide until after the pilot program is completed. <br /> Initially the law was written for just three election cycles, as a pilot program, and then to <br /> determine what problems need to be fixed. <br /> At the September 5, 2012 meeting, Ms. Smart moved to postpone Comm. 787.5 to the <br /> September 18, 2012 Governmental Relations Committee meeting. The motion was unanimously <br /> carried. <br /> At the September 18, 2012 meeting Ms. Smart withdrew Comm. 787.5 and moved to amend <br /> Resolution 280-12 with the contents of Comm. 787.6 which would replace all other amendments. <br /> The amendment is more specific with regards to the equalizing of funds in each district. <br /> Ms. Smart asked Tony Baldomero to come forward. <br />