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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, March 15, 2003

Capitol briefs

Advertiser Staff

Public Safety plan advances

Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to separate the law enforcement functions from the Department of Public Safety and create a new agency is once again moving through the House of Representatives.

The House Labor and Public Safety committees forwarded Senate Bill 1393 yesterday to the Judiciary Committee.

George Lindsey, chief of staff to Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, testified that separate law enforcement and corrections departments would allow both functions to be done more efficiently. "The separation would enable law enforcement to set its own priorities related to its mission of public safety," he said.

When funding is available, he said, the new law enforcement agency would be able to pick up a larger share of the duties it already is tasked to do such as security at airports and other state facilities. It could even enforce traffic laws on state highways, thus freeing up city and county police officers.

The Honolulu Police Department gave testimony expressing support for the concept of a new law enforcement agency, but noted that care must be taken to ensure there is no duplication of functions.



Lingle budget may be restored

A Senate committee is expected to recommend on Monday that an emergency request for $1 million to augment Gov. Linda Lingle's office budget be restored, a week after the House moved out a version of the bill that cut $491,000 from it.

Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Chairman Cal Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Crestview, Pearl City), said he believes Lingle, a Republican, should be allowed the money she considers necessary to run her office efficiently.

"We feel that the governor needs to be given all the tools she needs to do her work," Kawamoto said after the meeting. "Lifestyle and quality of life are important and to have the governor eat off a card table is ridiculous."

House Democrats said the $93,500 earmarked for furniture at the new governor's residence, which was built with donations but came with few furnishings, was inappropriate given the severity of cuts she had proposed for education and social service programs.

House leaders said nearly $220,000 was for retirement payouts that the governor's office acknowledged it did not need.



Foundation aids prescription fund

Thousands of Hawai'i's poor will get free prescription drugs from a statewide program launched yesterday with a $3 million check from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

Gov. Linda Lingle said the Prescription Care Hawaii program is a public-private effort expected to help 20,000 of the state's needy get vital medication at no cost to taxpayers.

In part, it's to prevent discharged patients from landing back in the hospital because they couldn't afford expensive prescription drugs.

The program links patients to various pharmaceutical company assistance programs that donate free drugs.

Lingle said it's not meant to solve the overall problem of soaring drug costs, but to immediately help those most in need.

She plans to convene a meeting next week of her health and social services directors and key legislators to discuss a drug plan for those not now covered by insurance.