Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0755.022 2016-2018Y/ CLERK C. OF HA' Ail 01-1 tjN10 t\1 I.����� �������qj ��t8 MAY 22 Ail 11; 07 CIO LOCAL 646 AVI;', County Council - County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 DATE- OF HEARING: May 22, 2018 TIME OF HEARING: 9:00 a.m. PLACE OF HEARING: Hawaii County Building Testimony in Strong Opposition to Proposed Amendments to the Mass Transit General Fund Expenditure Accounts, Bill 110, Draft 2 By DAYTON M. NAKANELUA, State Director of the United Public Workers (UPW), AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO My name is Dayton M. Nakanelua, State Director of the United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO. The UPW is the exclusive bargaining representative for approximately 12,000 public employees, which include blue collar, non -supervisory employees in Bargaining Unit 01 and institutional, health and correctional employees in Bargaining Unit 10, in the State of Hawaii and various counties. The UPW also represents about 1,500 members of the private sector. The UPW strongly OPPOSES Communication 755.13 (Memo No.1) Bill 110, Draft 2that proposes to zero out or completely delete the Mass Transit general fund expenditure accounts. We appreciate the fact that Mayor Harry Kim's Operating Budget recognized the wisdom and necessity of maintaining the Mass Transit budget; but he did not increase the number of busses requested by the Transit Administration or other needs in the Transit Master Plan. The UPW realizes and appreciates that other departments also play a very important role in delivering core services to the public. The benefits provided by transit services contribute to economic growth of the community with the movement of people to and from work and school including the movement needed to acquire medical, human sustaining needs, and to 4�,OMM. NCO. Ref. To: Ref. DateMk L2 201 conduct or patronize business activities. Economic growth contributes to the creation of revenue sources for county government. To cripple the transit services by cutting $4.6 million from the budget is to cripple economic growth and thereby reduce county revenues. Public transportation transforms the communities and lives of the people of Hawaii island. It provides for a higher quality of life for many and yes, it does require a major investment and strong political commitment. The UPW appreciates the opportunity to submit this testimony for the consideration of the members of the Hawaii County Council.