HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0142.000 2010-2012 K ANGEL PILAGO Phone. (808) 323 -4280
Council Member � Fax. (808) 329 -4786
Council District 8— North Kona Email. apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us
,T � • Of • MA IM
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai 'i
West Hawai'i Civic Center, Bldg. A
74 -5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Kailua -Kona, Hawai'i 96740
MEMORANDUM
DATE March 14, 2011
TO: Dominic Yagong, Chairman, Hawai'i County Council
and Councilmembers
FROM: K. Angel Pilago, Councilmember, District 8
SUBJECT: Report on the 2011 NACo Legislative Conference
Dear Chairperson Yagong,
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference was held in Washington D.C.
March 5` -9`" 2011.
One of the imperatives for the NACo Conference is for Counties and Local Government
to take part in shaping national policies that affect counties and local governments.
NACo is comprised of 3,068 county governments making it one of the largest and most
influential lobbies to the Congress and the White House.
The Hawaii State Association of Counties is the second smallest county organization in
NACO, Hawaii State has 4 Counties and Delaware has 3 counties. Hawai'i needs to be diligent
and our voice must be unified, in order to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the
other 3,067 counties and overcome by the size (and weight) of each of our fellow municipal
governments. We /NACo, are at the same time allies and competitors.
In that respect, our County's assertiveness and credible participation as a NACo partner is
vital to improving our Island's well -being and assuring a better quality -of -life for all.
The following is a list of session activities I attended on behalf of the Hawai'i County
Council and the Hawaii State Association of Counties:
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Comm. No. 2-
Hawai'i County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer Ref. To: C
Ref. Date MAR 21 2011
1. March 4, 2011. Friday, 4:00 p.m. arrived at Marriott Waldman, the NACo Conference
venue site.
2. March 5, 2011. Saturday 8:00 a.m.
Registered for Conference.
3. March 5, Saturday 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Technology Summit: "County Survival Strategies in Tough Economic Times"
4. March 5, Saturday 10:45 a.m. -12:45 a.m.
Attended Environment, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee: Meeting on
Resolutions.
Discussion on proposed resolutions on Economic Development Policy, Federal
Bureau of Land Management allowance for oil -gas exploration to lessen Mid -East
dependency; also discussed:
a) Diminishment of Antiquities Act (also affecting Hawaii an educational -
cultural resources); b) changes to Endangered Species Act (also affecting Native
Hawaiian flora and fauna); These items for transmittal to NACo Board -of- Directors
for approval.
5. March 5, Saturday 1:00 p.m. -4 p.m.
Represented Hawai `i at Western Interstate Region Board -of- Directors Meeting
I'm introduced as 1 -of -2 Directors from State of Hawaii. Discussed and voted on
Board policies, budget, and other WIR legislative issues.
6. March 6, Sunday 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m.
Attended Non - Denominational Worship Service
7. March 6, Sunday 8:30 a.m. -9:30 a.m.
Represented Hawai `i at NACo Western Region Meeting
8. March 6, Sunday 12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m.
NACo Focus Group
Discussion to establish 1 -to 3 -year strategic plans.
9. March 6, Sunday 3:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
Attended NACo Board -of- Directors Forum.
10. March 7, Monday 9:00 a.m. -10:15 a.m.
Looking Ahead: Public Finance Developments That Benefit County Government.
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Innovative public financing options that may help address counties with distressed
fiscal conditions.
a. Speaker: Susan Gaffney, Director, Federal Liaison Center
b. Speaker: James Hamill Program Manager, Public Financing Authority.
c. Speaker: Frank Safroth, Director, Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental
Relations.
11. March 7, Monday 1:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Opening General Session
a. Presiding, Judge Glen Whitley, President NACO
b. Speaker: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
c. Speaker: Eric H Holder, United States Attorney General.
d. Speaker: Congressman (former) Joe Scarborough (R -FL).
12. March 8, Tuesday 8:30 a.m. -9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Meetings on Capital Hill at the House of Representatives, and the Senate with:
12a. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D -HI) and staff.
9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. at House of Representatives.
Discussed: a)Accessing transportation subsidies for Hawai `i County; b)
Reaffirming support for Native Hawai `i an Health and Education entitlements; c)
Mauna Kea Astronomy programs; d) Establishing House and federal agencies
support to Hawaii County renewable energy projects.
12b. Senator D.K. Inouye's Chief -of -Staff and staff.
10:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m. at Senate Office.
a) Seeking support for Hawai `i County health, education, and social programs; b)
Increasing transportation subsidies for Hawaii County; c) Solidifying support for
Native Hawaiian Health and Education entitlements; d) Mauna Kea Astronomy
programs and Imi Loa Astronomy Center; e) Advocated for Senator's support
towards Hawaii County renewable energy projects; f) Seek assistance to protect
Endangered Species Act and Land Management Agencies from House majority
assault.
12c. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa
1:00 p.m. at House of Representatives
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a) Seeking support for Hawaii County health, education, and social programs; b)
Establish need to secure Transportation subsidies for Hawaii County; c)
Strengthening support for Native Hawaii an Health and Education entitlements;
d) Mauna Kea Astronomy programs and Imi Loa Astronomy Center; e) Plea for
Representative's support for Hawaii County renewable energy projects; f) Seek
support and assistance to protect Endangered Species Act and Land Management
Agencies from House majority assault.
13. March 8, Tuesday 6:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
President's Reception Dinner
14. March 9, Wednesday
a) 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Visit NACo Resource Center to establish network and acquire services from staff
specialists. Met with resource people and obtained written, DVD, and photo
information. Disbursed calling cards.
b) 1:00 p.m -2:00 p.m. Visits to Affiliates' display tables to acquire services and
information to improve Hawai `i County programs and services. Disbursed calling
cards.
c) 2:30 p.m -3:30 p.m. Visit NACo Learning Center to access and receive
workshop audio and presentation materials. Established networking and disbursed
calling cards.
15. 4:00 p.m. ends NACo Conference.
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