HOUSE REPUBLICANS RENEGE ON RECALL AGREEMENT

Days after signing an agreement to abide by a set of rules to exercise the recall provision, House Republicans today broke the agreement by announcing they would recall two House bills during tomorrow's floor session without first seeking a public hearing and discussion.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, House Majority Leader, said this "constitutes a serious breach of trust and good faith. If the Minority doesn't immediately rectify its decision and abide by the terms of the agreement, then it should be plain to everyone that they are mocking the Legislative process and the voters."

Oshiro was referring to the Feb. 20 Memorandum of Agreement signed by Oshiro and Minority Leader Rep. Galen Fox. Both sides agreed that prior to recalling a bill, a written request for a hearing will be addressed to the committee chair, who will then have 24 hours to respond. If the chair doesn't schedule a hearing, then the Minority would recall the bill.

Oshiro also noted that Minority leaders said they would not support a recall if the procedure is not followed. The first opportunity to demonstrate that would come at tomorrow's House floor session, which starts at 11:30 a.m.

"I guess we will see then if their word is any good," Oshiro said.

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