No More Pay-to-Play: Back HB370 & HB371
This week, a shocking revelation hit the news — an unnamed “influential legislator” under investigation by the FBI illegally accepted $35,000 dollars in bribes in 2022, and we still don’t know who it is.
Read the Civil Beat Piece Here
It’s enraging, but surprising? No. Unfortunately, we’ve come to expect these headlines. But he shouldn’t accept them.
Another thing we’ve come to expect but shouldn’t accept? The legislature doing nothing to clean up money in politics and shift its culture of corruption. On March 12th House Rep. Tarnas again killed the transformative Clean Elections bill, and shockingly neutered the reform of Hawai‘i’s existing partial public financing bill. Even after hundreds of people continue to submit testimony in support, and after the spectre of last year’s bombshell exposé on House corruption still hangs over their heads. Hewa.
The good news is that thanks to the Hawai‘i Senate, and in particular Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads, there are still some meaningful campaign finance reform bills alive that can make an impact on lessening Big Money pay-to-play corruption in our politics, and they have been scheduled for a hearing in their final committee, Senate Ways and Means, on Tuesday April 1st at 10:00 am.
Submit testimony now to tell the Ways and Means Committee to keep campaign finance reform alive.
This is critical. No in-person oral testimony is allowed in these Ways and Means hearings, so we need to FLOOD them with overwhelming written support. See sample testimony below.
The bills:
HB370 HD2 SD1 — Significantly Expand Hawai‘i’s Existing Partial Public Financing Program
HB371 HD1 SD1 — Closes the Pay-to-Play Campaign Contribution Loophole
Hawaiʻi deserves leaders who serve the people, not special interests, and certainly not the highest bidder. Let's demand transparency and accountability. Mahalo for standing up for a cleaner democracy!
Support HB370: Campaign Spending Partial Public Funding Increase
Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all state and county elective offices.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Kidani, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB370, improving the partial public campaign financing program. By increasing the expenditure cap and adjusting matching funds to 2 to 1, this measure reflects today's economic realities and encourages more candidates to participate in the program. This bill is a significant step toward reducing the influence of big money in our election process. By increasing the Campaign Spending Commission funding, the office can continue to grow the program and assist with the increased workload.
Mahalo,
NAME, town
Support HB371: Contractor Contribution Ban
Prohibits state or county grantees, officers, and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees from contributing to candidate or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Kidani, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB371, which prevents state and county contractors, grantees, and their families from making political contributions while their contracts or grants are active. Closing this loophole is important because it ensures public funds are used for their intended purposes, not to sway political campaigns or decisions. By removing a conflict of interest, this bill makes our elections more fair and transparent. It also builds trust by making sure contractors and grantees stay focused on their work without any perception of political strings attached.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
We Need Your Help to Get These Scheduled!
Critical good government measures SB345, SB1023, and SB311 are still awaiting a House Finance Committee hearing.
They must be heard and filed by Friday, April 4th.
Please contact Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita and the Finance committee members to ask them to schedule these critical bills that take money out of politics.
House Finance Committee
Chair of House Committee on Finance: Representative Kyle Yamashita
Email: repyamashita@capitol.hawaii.gov
Phone: 808-586-6200
Sample Email/ Call
Aloha Chair Yamashita,
My name is _____, from ________. Mahalo for passing HB370 out of the Finance Committee. I am also reaching out to request that you schedule and support the senate version, SB345 along with SB311 and SB1032. This is our last chance to take a meaningful step in campaign finance reform Please consider scheduling this bill. Mahalo!
