GOP House members said they are glad Democrats have agreed to hear a Republican proposal which would allow the people of Hawaii a permanent and definitive vote on the issue of gambling through a Constitutional Amendment question in the next election. The proposed Constitutional question would be "Shall all gambling, except social gambling, be prohibited in this State?" "We are glad that the Democrats realize, as we do, the importance of addressing this issue now," said Rep.

GOP members want this referendum on the November ballot and having it heard in the Judiciary Committee moves the bill closer to this goal. "This is a big step in the right direction and gives the people the right to decide the fate of gambling once and for all."