This past week marked the start of the 2011 Hawaii State Legislature. Hold on to your wallets. Taxes may and will probably go up. Democrats are in full control in both houses of the legislature as well as in the Governor's office. They are prone to bow before their union backers and raise taxes and fees this year.
The State House of Representatives finally got settled on the first day of the 2011 session. Speaker Calvin Say got to hold on to his post. The dissident faction of the House majority gave in and formed an uneasy coalition with Say and his backers. Several of the dissidents were left with no committee or leadership positions. You can go to the House link for more information in regards to their organization.
Over in the State Senate, the body welcome several new, returning and appointed senators. A new Senate President assumed his official duties. Maui Senator Shan S. Tsutsui is the new Senate President, taking over from former State Senator Colleen Hanabusa who resigned her seat to become a new U.S. Representative in Congress.
Senator Tsutsui presides over the 24 member Senate majority.
Senator Sam Slom is the only member of the Minority party in the State Senate. One of his first floor speeches of the new session was in defense of the time honored traditon of opening prayer before the start of each session. This year the majority voted to stop the practice of invocation before the start of each days' session after the Senate was sued by the ACLU and an individual zealot who is opposed to Christian prayer. You can watch the very short prayer floor motion below:
As a matter of disclosure, I work for State Senator Sam Slom as his chief of staff in his Senate office. Have been for 12 years.
On Tuesday, the Hawaii State Senate Judiciary & Labor committee will be hearing the first "Civil Unions" bill of the new session. SB 232 is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, January 25 starting at 10:00 a.m. in Capitol Room 016. Hearing Notice Link.
The annual Hawaii March for Life Rally which is a protest against the Roe v. Wade ruling on legalized abortions was held on the State Capitol grounds yesterday, January 22. Hundreds of young people showed up for the weekend rally that celebrates life and not the pre-mature death of unborn babies.
Read more about the Right to Life Rally here.
Governor Neil Abercombie will present his first state of the state address on Monday, January 24 starting at 10:00 a.m. in the State House chamber.
Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald will present his first state of the judiciary speech on Wednesday, January 26 starting at 10:00 a.m. in the State Senate chamber.
And that's the news this week from the Big Square building on South Beretania street.
Hawaii State Senate Opening Day Photos
Photos:
1. Kamehameha Schools Children's Choir on Opening Day
2. Senate President Shan S. Tsutsui
3. Fetus display at Right to Life Rally
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