Representative Thielen and Marumoto Said House Bill 2847 Erodes DUI Laws

This afternoon, over the objections of myself and my colleague, Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R-19^th District), the House Judiciary committee voted to pass out House Bill 2847 from committee.

 House Bill 2847 provides a further exception to our drivers’ license revocation rules by allowing those who have had their licenses revoked for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or narcotics to get conditional license permits for personal medical or dental care or to assist in the care of another person who is unable to drive.  While I am sympathetic to caregivers and those with legitimate medical needs, this exception further erodes our DUI laws. 

With an exception this broad, this proposed legislation is like Swiss cheese with even larger holes.  As the House is moving a proposal for ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders and as I and my Republican colleagues continue to push for tougher sanctions against those who drive under the influence, this type of legislation does little to keep our streets safer and reduce the death toll on our roads.

Representative Cynthia Thielen

(R-50^th District, Kailua-Kaneohe Bay)

Representative Barbara Marumoto Explains Hawaii Primary Caucus

February 19, 2008

Dear Honolulu Advertiser Editor: 

What a surprise to see my name (as well as other Republicans) on a list of “Hawaii’s Democratic Caucuses Today”.  True, voters very often identify their House districts by the representative rather than the number, but we got 7 calls by 9 am asking exactly where “our” Democrat caucus, or “your meeting” will take place.  Even though it was political, we gave out directions.

 The real reason I’m writing is to point out that the 19^th District description is off.  Yes, while Waialae Iki, Kalani Valley and Kahala are in the district, so is Kaimuki from 6^th to 20^thAvenue!  It’s bounded on the mauka side by Waialae Avenue and the makai side by Alohea – the heart of this wonderful community.  Two other great neighborhoods you might want to add while you’re at it, Waialae Nui Valley and Ridgeline.

 Proud to represent the whole 19^th District, Barbara Marumoto 

ATV’s ARE DANGEROUS FOR YOUNGSTERS

 Representative Barbara Marumoto wants minors to wear helmets when operating ATVs.  House Bill 2364 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  To support this imports bill please send an e-mail to Representative Tommy Waters, Chair of Judiciary at waters@capitol.hawaii.gov.

“We must protect our children,” said Representative Marumoto.  “A children’s hospital in Arkansas reports that out of 500 consecutive injuries from ATV (all-terrain vehicles) accidents, children (ages 6 through 19 years) suffered the following injuries.

Head injuries included:  85 skull fractures, 66 cases of hemorrhage, 59 brain injuries.

Spinal injuries included: 21 spine fractures, 5 spinal cord injuries. Also, there were:  36 lung injuries, 70 injuries to the spleen, liver, kidneys or pancreas extremity fractures were found in 208 children with broken legs being the most common.  In addition there were 12 amputations.  

The youngest patient was a 6 month-old infant riding with his mother.  His thigh bone was fractured.  Lastly there were 6 fatalities and several cases of long-term disabilities.  “If we are going to allow children to operate ATVs, then we must, at the minimum, mandate helmet use,” concluded Marumoto.

Republicans Demand Reform of the Grants-In-Aid Process

Honolulu- “We demand reform of the Grants In Aid (GIA) process; one that achieves effectiveness with built in accountability measures,” said Minority Leader Representative Lynn Finnegan.  We are concerned with the lack of formal criteria and it is vital that the public is able to participate in a process that has independent reviews, checks and balances with formal guidelines,” continued Representative Lynn Finnegan.   Representative Colleen Meyer will also be requesting an investigation by the Speaker of the House, Calvin Say, of Representative Michael Magaoay’s position as the Grants-in-Aid sub committee chair in relation to his campaign fundraising.    Representative Thielen will be requesting that Representative Magaoay return campaign funds that were raised from non-profit connections. “It is never good when the public is left with a “pay for play” taste in their mouths,” said Representative Colleen Meyer.  “We demand change and offer our support in an effort to rise above a flawed process,” concluded Representative Lynn Finnegan.  The three Honolulu Advertiser articles that have prompted the House of Representatives Republican reply are: Rob Prerez Articles of December 23rd, 24^th and 25^th, 2007.    Hawaii nonprofit grant funding a mystery http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712230374 Hawaii House grants job a lucrative posthttp://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712240344 Hawaii nonprofit funding unusualhttp://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712250338 The House of Representatives Republicans are offering a resolution and asking for 51 signatures to promote a more open procedure for the Grants-in-Aide process.