HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0341.005 1996-1998 Hawa~ ~ Island
1 Chamber of Commerce
Es~abllshed In lfl9ri • 202 Kamehameha Ave. • Hlln, Hawaii 9x720 • Phone (A0211 9 3 5-71 J8 • Fax (riW1961-44 i5
June I8, 1997 email: hic<tainterpar.net
Councilman James Arakaki, Chair
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Resolution 104-97: Requesting the Governor and State Legislature to Convene a Special
Session to Address the Privatization Issue
The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce is in support of legislative efforts to address the issue
of privatization in the wake of the Konno decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court. We support
the County Council's call for a special legislative session in hopes that it will bring needed clarity
to this issue.
We continue our long standing commitment to cost efficient government and to the effective use
of tax payers money. The County's ability to contract private services on a competitive basis is
essential to the wise use of public funds. The Konno decision has many disturbing impacts, not
the least of which is a substantial increase to the cost of doing the public's business. We urge this
Council to take a strong stand on this issue and to commit what ever resources are necessary to
meet this important challenge.
There aze many members of our organization who have become unwitting victims of the Konno
decision. From social service providers to recycling companies to collection agencies, these small
businesses have been providing the County with quality services at a competitive price. The loss
of County contracts and the general uncertainty from the fallout of Konno have had a profound
impact on these businesses and a chilling impact on our island economy.
In the short term, the privatization issue must be resolved as soon as possible and without further
business disruption. On the longer term, we, as a community, need to address the more
fundamental issues and policies that underlie the Konno decision. If Hawaii is ever to become
vibrant place to do business, we must develop a more progressive approach to the relationship
between the public and the private sectors and to harness the best of both to accomplish the best
for our community.
Thank you for the chance to submit testimony on this issue.
Sincerely
Je ey Melrose
Ge4ernment Affairs, Chair Ya ~S
1lIL lfa L E G
resen a Ce~NU~
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!at JUN j g 1997
RPfilialed with the ~ hamper of Commerce of [he United Stata~s