Capitol bill called power grab
By B.J. Reyes
Associated Press
A bill that would turn over management of the State Capitol to the Legislature sparked protest from the Senate's top Republican, who called it an example of Democrats trying to strip the governor's office of some traditional powers now that the GOP is in control.
Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings called the proposal "one of these wonderful bills" that seem to be "transferring power" away from the governor's office.
"After 40 years of having the Capitol managed by the executive branch of government where it belongs, I just find it unusual that now, 40 years later, we're transferring management to the legislative branch," said Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai).
The proposal was advanced by the Senate's money committee yesterday by a vote of 11-2, with two members absent. Hemmings and Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), cast the two votes in opposition.
The bill transfers exclusive management of the entire Capitol building and its grounds, including parking, from the Department of Accounting and General Services to a bipartisan House-Senate committee.
Ways and Means Chairman Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), said the proposal stems from concerns raised by lawmakers and the public about security restrictions recently proposed by Gov. Linda Lingle.
In December, following an elevation in the national security threat level, Lingle said permanent, long-term security measures for the Capitol would be studied. Proposals included restrictions on public parking in the underground garage and metal detectors at entrances.
"The Capitol should be an open place where people can come," Taniguchi said. "We have no way of really having any input into that kind of process, so that's really the purpose of this bill."
Slom said security was a separate issue from building management, noting that it was his belief that when matters are left to bipartisan committees, "we sure as heck haven't accomplished very much."
He suggested that lawmakers instead draft a bill of requests they would like the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to consider.
Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Halawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), pointed out some recent restrictions placed on lawmakers' access to the building and called them "ridiculous." She said she used to be allowed to pay for a second parking gate pass for convenience, but this year was told such cards would be limited to one per vehicle.
"This is our building, we come here on a more than normal basis and we can't even get a second card we're willing to pay for," she said. "That's just ridiculous for DAGS to have that kind of control over something so simple."
Slom said that while it's important to keep the Capitol accessible to lawmakers and the public, security concerns are legitimate.
"A lot of this surrounds a little thing called 9/11," he said. "While we want security, we don't want people to be shut out."
The comment drew a rebuke from Kim. "I hate when we use 9/11 as a reason why we do stupid things," she said.
