HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0103.010 2006-2008 Barbara L Page 1 of 2
Murashige, Laura
From: Barbara L. Franklin [barbara.franklin@hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:37 PM (Qlf~ FED 21 i
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: jhi ms voterownedhawaii.or
Subject: County of Hawaii Resolution 41-07 .doc
Agenda for February 22, 2007
Barbara L. F~"dll~ Esq.,
Attorney at Law
5-3 0 l~amane Street, Suite 5
O. ox
727
4 csimlle
az ara.~ran lin a~~awauantel.net
To: County of Hawaii County Council
Date: February 21, 2007
Subject: Strong Support of Resolution #41-07
Agenda for February 22, 2007
T am submitting my written testimony in support of Resolution number 41-07
because I feel strongly that we, as citizens, have a vested interest in reducing the
special-interest campargn funding and enabling qualified candidates to run for
County office.
There are several reasons why you should support Resolution 41-07. Public
funding for campaigns will:
• Build trust between constituents and legislators.
• Allow a more diverse voice on the Council.
• Allow candidates the freedom to choose whether to accept private or public
funds for their campaign.
• Save taxpayer money by reducing the number of pro-consumer bills that get
killed by industry lobbyist influence.
• Give council candidates more choice in relation to how he or she runs their
campaign.
• Give candidates the option of spending more time with constituents and less
time raising funds.
Comm. No, ~ ~ , / d
Raf. To: Praraewtt
Ref. Uate f B 2 2 2007
2/21 /2007
Barbara L Page 2 of 2
• Save taxpayer money by reducing the influence of industry lobbyists
• Help counties pass more measures dealing with sustainable development.
• Result in a greater voter turnout as proven in other public funding
jurisdictions.
• Produce winners when candidates publicize that they accept no private funds,
thus dispelling the influence peddling connotation of their campaigns.
• Provide a model for other Counties and State government.
• I'm one of the 86% of Hawaii's residents that a 2005 HARP survey found believe
that campaign contributions moderately or greatly influence policies supported
by legislators and I believe that influence through contributions is not in the
interest of the bulk of the citizenry.
• I'm one of the 81% of Hawaii's residents who believe that legislators become
obligated to those who have given them campaign money.
• I'm one of the 74% of Hawaii's residents who support candidates receiving full
public funding to fund their campaigns.
In summary, this is the one campaign reform that makes all others possible.
There are so many good reasons to pass this bill into law. It will reinvigorate
elections and connect constituents to legislators in a real way. It will save taxpayer
money and build trust. In short, this bill is pono. Please do this because it is the
right thing to do. Mahalo.
Thank you for your consideration and I ask you to support public funding for
elections for County Council.
/s/ Barbara L. Franklin
2/21 /2007