The state auditor was already scheduled to conduct an audit of OHA this year but the committee's action showed that senators believe it is a priority.

State Sen. Jill Tokuda, D-24th (Kailua, Kane'ohe), the committee's chairwoman, said the audit was suggested by OHA beneficiaries who want more accountability over OHA's spending.

State Attorney General Mark Bennett and OHA trustees described the audit as punitive and connected to comments they made that were critical of the Senate after three Senate committees rejected a $200 million state settlement with OHA over ceded land revenues.

The bill would allow the Hawai'i Labor Relations Board to certify union representation if a majority of employees in a bargaining unit sign authorization cards. The process would be an alternative to union elections by secret ballot.

The Hawai'i Government Employees Association and other labor unions supported the bill. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and building and hotel industry interests opposed the bill.

State House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa, McCully), proposed the resolution so voters would have some idea of the cost when they vote in November whether to hold a convention. The LRB report would be due in September to give lawmakers and voters enough time to review the results.

"I think it's really important to know how much a ConCon is going to cost," said Caldwell, who added he has not made up his mind about whether a convention is necessary.

But state Attorney General Mark Bennett and others question why the study would not look at all of the possible alternatives for a convention instead of just the most expensive.

A People's Pulse winter poll found that the number of people who oppose a convention increased when the projected cost was higher. For example, 53 percent oppose a convention that would cost between $10 million and $15 million; 65 percent oppose a convention that would cost between $15 million and $19 million; and 75 percent oppose a convention that would cost $20 million or more.

The resolution asks the LRB to plot out the costs of a convention held at a leased facility, likely with 102 delegates and staff.

Bennett described it as the "Cadillac or Lamborghini of ConCons" and urged lawmakers to consider estimates involving fewer delegates, the use of public buildings, and government employees as staff. "It shouldn't be prejudged," he said.

State Rep. Della Au Belatti, D-25th (Tantalus, Makiki, McCully), said cost is an important factor and should be fully examined. She has an alternative resolution that would create a task force of administration officials and lawmakers to look into the cost of a convention.

"It would be unfortunate, I think, to be accused of playing politics," Belatti said.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Last year, they sent over a bunch of cupcakes and brownies, and I returned them because they were trying to make up for calling me a liar. This year, they've killed many of my bills with their government relations team and they deliver me some kind of basil. You know, I'd rather they spend the time coming to talk to me about some of the healthcare problems. They can have their money and their plant and their cupcakes back."

— State Rep. Josh Green, D-6th (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona), a Big Island doctor and the chairman of the House Health Committee, on his feud with the Hawai'i Medical Service Association

COMING UP