HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0789.022 1998-2000 AUG-07-2000 09:53 PM Ljf WORKER CENTER 3004 c.� P.01
LANNY SINKIN RECEIVE _
Attorney at Law
58 Fumeaux Lane, Suite 5 '00 AUG 7 Dn 10 00
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
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(808) 961.9100 co;_ntrY 17.r -K
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FAX: (808) 934 -9609 COUN I Cr H d,V, ='Jl
Email: light®ilhawaii.net
August 7, 2000 •
Chairman Jim Arakaki and .
Members of the Hawaii County Council
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County Council Building
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
FAX: 961 -8912
Re: Bills #264 and #265 .
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Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members of the Council,
I am writing to encourage your support for Bills #264 and #265. T _h^ _finance
Committee will consider these bills on Tuesday, August 8.
During the recent presidential primaries, the major candidates in but; I• °riies tried
to position themselves to appear in favor of campaign finance reform. WLcii cr they did
so only because the public is increasingly outraged or out of genuine concern ,: nt our
democratic system is disappearing in a deluge of special interest contribution- - ^mains to
be seen.
Personally, T do not believe the fundamental problem will be solved - hoot
public funding of political campaigns. Only real reformers, such as Ralph Na•t .,., are
proposing such a solution at the national level,
In the meantime, however, we can make adjustments to the current system that
limit the influence of campaign contributions on public policy. The conflict o` erect
bill ( #264) introduced by Councilmember Jacobson is the product of extensi .
discussions about how to achieve some level of reform. As you can see, the :. " has
. changed extensively from its initial form and is now greatly improved.
Will this bill eliminate completely the influence of special interests? ; : _ iily
not. Can this bill be implemented effectively and without undue burden on ' `"Dates or
council members? 1 believe so. What I am certain of is that taking no actin n -will leave
the same potential for private interests dominating the public interest. T tuc^ ;
Councilmember Jacobson's Bill #264 and make any adjustment found nec -: alas d ss
e. w
on the experience of implementing the bill.
• Councilmember Jacobson's second bill #265 is even more obviously - - ..c.ded. No
member of the Council should be considering contracts or other benefits for ., business in
which they or their family have a beneficial interest.
I hope you will support forwarding the Jacobson bills to the full Cooney Council
for consideration.
Aloha,
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