Confusion over state’s “administrative director”
ILind: …The governor’s office issued a news release yesterday announcing that the state transportation director would be moving into the position of administrative director in the governor’s office.
It was described as a new position, and was reported that way by the Star-Advertiser, “State DOT director will move to new Ige administrative post.”….
But here’s the problem. The position of administrative director is actually one of the few positions created by the State Constitution.
Article V of the constitution establishes the framework of the executive branch, setting out the required qualifications of the governor as well as the governor’s powers and responsibilities.
And Section 5 of Article V concludes with this sentence:
The governor shall appoint an administrative director to serve at the governor’s pleasure.
Notice the term “shall,” meaning the appointment of an administrative director is required (rather than simply allowed) by the Constitution.
Further information on the position can be found in the Legislative Reference Bureau’s “Guide to Government in Hawai‘i”, section on the Office of the Governor.
…, the Governor, as required by the State Constitution, Article V, section 5, appoints an Administrative Director, who functions as the Governor’s chief of staff and assists in the supervision of the executive departments and major state initiatives….
Further, the most recent state salary commission placed the administrative director’s salary in Tier 1, along with the Attorney General and the director of the Dept. Of Budget and Finance, which are state government’s highest paid administrators. As of this year, their salaries are set at $151,776, the same as the Lt. Governor.
So the administrative director’s salary is set by law, along with those of other executive employees.
And Civil Beat’s database of public employee salaries confirms that this is the current salary of Governor Ige’s chief of staff, Mike McCartney.
So now it gets complicated.
The constitution says there shall be a state administrative director. That title has been held by the governor’s chief of staff, as described by LRB, and confirmed by the salary of the current chief of staff. And the administrative director’s salary is currently being paid to the chief of staff....
And if Governor Ige is now formally splitting the positions of chief of staff and administrative director, it would seem the salaries will have to be adjusted to conform to the law.
In this case, it would mean a significant reduction in the chief of staff salary, while the administrative director will be paid as required for a Tier 1 position….
read … Confusion over state’s “administrative director”
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HDOT DIRECTOR FORD FUCHIGAMI JOINS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
News Release from Office of the Governor, Oct 12, 2017
HONOLULU – Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami will join the Office of the Governor as the Administrative Director, beginning Nov. 1, 2017. His role will include coordinating essential business and discussions between the state and various industries, serving as the lead liaison between the governor’s office, state departments and their directors, and administering management improvement programs. Fuchigami will also work with Chief of Staff Mike McCartney and serve as a key contributing member of the governor’s leadership team
“Ford has repeatedly proven his incredible ability to generate innovative ideas, implement plans and see them through to successful completion,” said Gov. David Ige. “His ability to negotiate the successful Kapalama Container Terminal project and accommodate an additional major player into Hawai‘i’s shipping industry is just one recent example of his impressive leadership skills.”
“Ford has been able to successfully manage a wide range of situations – whether it’s negotiating with billion dollar companies or listening to the concerns of our citizens. He will bring to the governor’s office his strengths and keen ability to enhance efficiencies throughout our state,” Gov. Ige said.
“In my years with HDOT, we have achieved many impactful accomplishments across all divisions. The department’s success has been in large part because of the collaboration and support from various individuals and organizations,” said Fuchigami. “I look forward to working with all departments and helping to improve the governmental process.”
Fuchigami joined HDOT in January 2011. He has focused on maximizing existing infrastructure while prioritizing sustainability and making the state more energy efficient. He previously served as an executive in the hospitality industry.
Gov. Ige has appointed HDOT Deputy Director Jade Butay as interim HDOT director, leading 15 airports, 10 commercial harbors, 2,500 lane miles of highway and HDOT’s 2,600 dedicated employees. Butay’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
BIOGRAPHIES:
SA: The administrative director’s post is a new one in the Ige administration but will be similar to that of deputy chief of staff
HNN: Head of DOT to move to position in governor's office
Sept, 2017: HDOT Sitting on $505M of Unspent Federal Funds
June, 2017: HDOT: 2002 Airport Agreement with Sheriff is Out of Date
April, 2017: HB1022: $10M for Latest Honolulu Airport Mess
April, 2017: Ciber: Company Behind 7-Year HDOT Software Failure Files Bankruptcy
October, 2016: HIDOT Fails to Answer -- $78K Administrative Cost Per Mile
2015: State Sues Tech Firm for Buying Influence with Abercrombie Administration
2015: DoTax' Next Tech Disaster Takes Page from DoT's Last Tech Disaster