‘For the people’
Do only President Trump supporters send views to the paper?
There is no socialist running for president in the Democratic Party. Those running only want the socialism that every democracy on Earth has.
Taxpayers pay for state universities. They should be free to attend since we already paid. Health care should be guaranteed. This is not socialist. It’s democracy for the people.
By the way, highways, police departments. fire departments, airports and Social Security are socialism as will.
Larry Martin
Pahoa
Transparency is essential
March 10-16 was Sunshine Week, a nationwide nonpartisan effort to encourage the public to recognize the achievements and identify the setbacks in efforts to protect a citizen’s “right to know” (www.sunshineweek.org).
On Nov. 6, 2018, voters in Hawaii County approved two charter amendments that are excellent examples of Sunshine Week achievements.
The first charter amendment, “Public notice and voting requirements for the Salary Commission,” provides the public with an opportunity to respond to the recommendations of the Salary Commission, which sets the salary levels of county officials.
The second charter amendment, “Fiscal impact statements,” requires that fiscal impact statements be prepared for proposed charter amendments on the ballot.
The League of Women Voters of Hawaii County appreciates the efforts of our County Council to improve transparency in government and provide information for voters to make informed decisions. But the league believes that more can be done to support an informed electorate, which we believe is a significant factor in voter turnout and engagement.
That is why the League of Women Voters Hawaii has recently testified in support of SB 958 and SB 1058, which would require the state to prepare and distribute information to educate voters about what is on the ballot.
The LWVHI is also supporting SCR23 to establish a task force to review Hawaii’s current voter education system and propose improvements.
The bills take different paths, but both SB 958 and SB 1058 recognize that a better informed electorate is more engaged, and that the state is best suited to provide accurate information in clear language about what is on the ballot.
The people’s trust and confidence in our government and institutions depend on transparency and the power that knowledge gives. The LWVHC encourages the public to recognize and support efforts to empower voters by improving voter education.
Rosemarie Muller
President, League of Women Voters of Hawaii County