Hawai'i Democrats agree on legislative package

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

In an unprecedented move, House and Senate Democrats yesterday jointly released a three-issue legislative package that covers reforming public education, battling crystal methamphetamine and making prescription drugs more affordable.

Democratic leaders declared they have reached complete agreement on these areas and promised to deliver on them by the end of the legislative session.

The prescription drug legislation may be the easiest of the three to push through, as Gov. Linda Lingle also supports the concept.

Democratic lawmakers want to amend the state-financed prescription program called Hawai'i Rx, which aims to reduce drug costs by creating a state purchasing pool to negotiate discounts on prescription drugs. Proposed changes to the program, which is scheduled to take effect July 1, include limiting participation to people earning an income less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level.

Crystal methamphetamine and education reform are certain to generate more heated debate.

The Democrats want to spend $21.6 million to expand substance abuse treatment for students and adults, as well as increase prevention and intervention programs. They also want to require health insurance companies to provide the same level of benefits for substance abuse as they do for other illnesses and allow civil commitments to force a family member to enter treatment.

They are also seeking harsher penalties for crystal meth traffickers, people who manufacture drugs in the presence of children, and those who sell drugs to minors.

Education initiatives in the Democrats' package include establishing a "student weighted formula" which allocates a specific amount of money for each student based on his or her needs.

Other proposals would turn the school/community-based management system into "school-based boards" that would participate in school decisions. Democrats also say they will place a constitutional question on the ballot relating to reconfiguring the Board of Education system to make it "more representative and accountable."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.