Governor Abercrombie bullying the legislature into special session

News Release from Hawaii GOP    September 5, 2013

Honolulu – Amidst reports that Governor Abercrombie may call a special session after his meeting with Democrats tomorrow with or without the votes in the House to pass his same sex marriage bill, the Hawaii Republican Party issued the following statement:

“Governor Abercrombie’s insistence on this special session despite reports of uncertain support in the House of Representatives is typical of this governor who has tried to ramrod his agenda through the legislature in the past.

Just a few months ago, Abercrombie sat in the gallery of the state house and watched another of his signature measures pass with the required 2/3 of the vote after Democrat representatives converted their votes reluctantly from noes to ayes to ensure its passage and the good will of the governor. The change of votes took place only after a House Democrat meeting with Governor Abercrombie.

Clearly, Abercrombie assumes he can once again force his agenda through the legislature by bullying the representatives in his own party. This type of behavior does nothing to calm public concern that a special session will be used to curb public involvement and stifle input on this important topic and quite frankly, the people of Hawaii deserve better.”

The Hawaii Republican Party also called on its members to contact Governor Abercrombie’s office at 808-586-0034 and their state legislators at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov to ask them to oppose “Abercrombie’s Special Session.”

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