HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GRC 016 06/18/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: June 18, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 735/Res. No. 263-12
PLACE: West Hawai`i Civic Center
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 11:28 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution No. 263-12, reports as
follows:
Resolution No. 263-12, transmitted by Council Member Brittany Smart, via Communication 735, dated
May 22, 2012, calls upon the United State Congress to pass and send to the States for ratification a
constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), and to
clarify that corporations are not entitled to the constitutional protection or rights of natural persons.
Ms. Smart explained there is a nationwide effort for municipalities to pass similar resolutions asking the
Federal government for a Constitutional amendment, and the States would have to ratify it. Ms. Smart
thanked our Hawaii State Legislature for being the first Legislature in the nation to pass a similar
resolution and asked Council Members to support this effort. Mr. Yoshimoto expressed support for
Resolution No. 263-12. Mr. Hoffmann also expressed support, but pointed out that there are several
reasons why corporations in the nation have achieved the status of being "persons." Mr. Hoffmann
disagreed that corporations should be given unlimited campaign funding power, and stated that he would
vote in favor of Resolution No. 263-12 on that basis. Ms. Ford stated that it is out of balance for
corporations to be able to donate large sums of money to a political campaign without having to be
identified as do private citizens.
Your Committee on Governmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 263-12, and recommends its adoption.
ke
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD X COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
HOFFMANN X RELATIONS
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X
SMART X K. A EL ' LAGO, AIR
YAGONG X GRC REPORT NI. 16
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: JUL 0 3 2012