CAMPAIGN REFORM BILL ADVANCES DESPITE GOP OPPOSITION

HONOLULU -- A House-amended Senate bill to further campaign financing reforms passed third reading today over strong objections by several Minority Republicans, some of whom supported a similar House measure during the first half of the Legislative Session.

Rep. Brian Schatz, Majority Whip, conceded that the House version of Senate Bill 932 needs work to fully comply with the State Constitution, but said, "if we don't pass the bill today, it dies." Schatz, who is a strong proponent for cleaning up campaign financing laws, told House lawmakers that the measure should be looked at as "part of a matrix of laws" that need to be changed in order to achieve full reform.

House Speaker Calvin Say said the bill will have difficulties getting through conference with the Senate, where a House measure with similar provisions failed to get a hearing.

The House amendments in S. B. 932 include a pilot project for publicly financing candidates in the 2002 Honolulu City Council races, provided those candidates agree to spending limitations; and addresses the issue of incumbents who donate campaign funds to non-profit activities. "We need to start somewhere if we want to neutralize the influence of big money in elective office," Schatz said.

S. B. 932 was supported by all House Democrats and a few Republicans. GOP members who opposed the reforms included Representatives Emily Auwae, Galen Fox, Joe Gomes, Chris Halford, Bob McDermott, Colleen Meyer, Mark Moses, Guy Ontai, and William Stonebraker.

#####