Updated at 7:17 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Lingle vetoes changing regent selection process
Advertiser Staff
Gov. Linda Lingle today vetoed a bill that would restrict her power to make appointments to the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents, but state House and Senate leaders promised to override the veto and enact the bill into law.The bill calls for an advisory council that would recommend regent nominees to the governor instead of the governor choosing them by herself. The bill also expands the number of regents from 12 to 15 — with geographic representation — and prohibits regents from serving more than two consecutive five-year terms.
Voters approved a constitutional amendment last November authorizing lawmakers to create the advisory council. The council would be made up of seven members appointed by the Senate president, the House speaker, the governor, the UH faculty senate, the UH student caucus, an association of former regents and the UH alumni association.
Lingle said the bill was opposed by UH President David McClain and is counter to recommendations from the university's accrediting bodies and governing boards. The governor said it would create a narrow, special-interest-based selection process.
