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A Hawaii Government Employees Association • AFSCME Local 152 • AFL-CIO
Working Together For Hawaii
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DATE: 418/08
TOTAL PAGES: 2 (including cover sheet) o
0
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TO: County Council
FAX NUMBER: 808-961.8912 C `
FROM: Kevin Mulligan, Public Policy Specialist
PHONE NUMBER: 543.0067
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FAX NUMBER: ti.
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SUBJECT: Testimony on Bill 257 - Relating to an Ordinance to Initiate Initiative and Referendum
MESSAGE: This testimony is for the County Council meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. Thank you.
Comm. No. `05Z - A.
Ref. To: Presented Coo-ne
Ref. Date APR 9 7i10R-
Apr-08-08 04:28pm From-11GEA/AFSCLE LOCAL 152 +8085284059 T-922 P.02/02 F-293
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888 Mililani Street, Suite 601 Telephone: 808.5411.0&0
A F S C M F.
LOCAL 152. AFL-CIO Honolulu, Hawaii 9681.1-2991 Faaimile•2888R8.a09 ea.org
County Council fl~~~~'
County of Hawaii
Testimony by
HGEA/AFSCME Local 152
April 9, 2008
Bill 257 - Ordinsince to Initiate A Chart 8mendment to Article XI It o ai I County Charter 2000
Relating to Initiative and Referendum.
The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME, Local 152, AFL-CIO opposes Sill 257.
Initiative and referendum are attractive because of the appeal to "direct democracy". However, the very
same "big" interests that initiative and referendum were supposed to thwart frequently initiate ballot
initiatives and referenda. On the Mainland, special interest groups with huge campaign chests sponsor
many initiatives.
Special interests have always sponsored initiatives, but now they have millions to spend. As a result, big
money and special interests have co-opted the initiative process, and use it to circumvent or preempt
legislative actions. While money does not always prevail in initiative battles, it usually is a decisive
factor. Problems can also arise when proposed Initiatives lead to misunderstandings, legal challenges
and unintended consequences.
Another problem with initiative and referendum is that it fosters a take it or leave it approach. In contrast,
the legislative process provides additional checks and balances and fosters a deliberative approach to
solving public policy issues. Our system of government is a representative democracy, meaning that
voters elect representatives (legislators) who have the power to enact or repeal laws. We are committed
to this system of government.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in opposition to Bill 257.
Respectfully submitted,
Kf-~' I1Z.
Kevin Mulligan
Public Policy Specialist
H A W A I I G 0 V E R N M E N T E M P L 0 Y 0 E S A S S O C I A'T I O N