Special interest money rules

Sad day in Hawaii County.  Special interest money rules.  See below message from Dominic Yagong and my testimony on the issue.
Jim

Aloha James,  Thank you very much for your email.  I was very saddened by the vote today taken by the Hawaii County Council.  The vote was 6-3 in favor of supporting the ill advised legislative bill that suspends Act 244 until 2014.    I really tried my best, and so did Mr. Hoffmann and Ms. Ford.  Thank you so much for your feedback on this very important matter.  I sincerely wish I had better news for you.  Much Aloha -  Councilmember Dominic Yagong

Aloha Council members,
I oppose resolution 098.  I support the Clean Elections pilot program for Hawaii County.  We need to get special interest money out of elections and level the playing field.  The project is legal, has worked well in other places like Arizona and will enable more people to run for office, giving a fresh spirit to the democratic process.
Stand with the grassroots before special interests.  Mahalo.

--

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Aloha James,  Thank you very much for your email.  I was very saddened by the vote today taken by the Hawaii County Council.  The vote was 6-3 in favor of supporting the ill advised legislative bill that suspends Act 244 until 2014.    I really tried my best, and so did Mr. Hoffmann and Ms. Ford.  Thank you so much for your feedback on this very important matter.  I sincerely wish I had better news for you.  Much Aloha -  Councilmember Dominic Yagong  -----Original Message----- From: ja@interpac.net [mailto:ja@interpac.net]  Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 7:11 PM To: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Don't Undermine Fair Elections!    Councilman Dominic Yagong    Aloha Councilman Yagong,  At a time in Hawaii when people are more aware than ever about special interest money and politics, we are counting on you to protect Act 244.   The people have spoken, and there is overwhelming support for this law. Mainland money is having negative effects on Hawaii's elections and economy, and the Fair Elections Act would empower small businesses and communities because more people will be more engaged in the political process.  The people have spoken on this bill. For ten years, tens of thousands of citizens have weighed in on this law. A 2005 AARP survey also concluded that 86% of Hawaii's residents believe there should be changes in the way we finance our campaigns.  People understand the corrosive impacts of money on the lawmaking process: excessive health care costs are forcing small businesses to close; our entire energy infrastructure is based on technology that has been outdated for 60 years; short term profits are trumping long term sustainable solutions to our biggest problems.  I'm counting on you to listen to the people and do what is right by protecting the Fair Elections Act   Sincerely, James Albertini P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, HI 96760