HART: Reducing Rail PR is a Federal Civil Rights Violation

by Andrew Walden

Councilmember Tom Berg’s Resolution 12-160 was deferred by the Council Budget Committee July 25.  Berg’s proposal would have cut HART PR personnel staffing down to one position, freeing up money for silly things like restored bus service. 

Now Hawai`i Free Press has received a copy of a document outlining HART’s arguments against 12-160.  It seems that Rail propaganda is a civil right.  Martin Luther King Jr may not have realized, but, according to HART, the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects the right of crony rail contractors to ensure that they have maximum influence over Hawaii’s August 11 Primary races.  Rail propaganda denial also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, two Executive Orders, and one US Department of Transportation “circular”.

Oddly, these arguments were not contained in the previously released July 23, 2012 letter from HART Chief Daniel Grabauskas to the Council outlining his reasons for opposing 12-160.

LINK: Read HART’s memo for yourself  

Randall O'Toole: Rail Propaganda Is Not a Civil Right

Related: FULL TEXT: 256 pages of Rail 'PR' Contracts