Ige Issues Statement on Financial Disclosure Bill Becoming Law
News Release from Ige campaign
Honolulu, HI (June 30, 2014) — Senate Bill 2682 requires the disclosure of financial statements by members of 15 state boards and commissions, including the Public Utilities Commission, University of Hawaii Board of Regents, Board of Education, Hawaii Community Development Authority, Board of Land and Natural Resources and others. Today, the governor announced that he will let the bill become law without his signature.
“The passage of the financial disclosure bill, SB 2682, is a great day for openness and transparency in Hawaii’s government,” said Democratic gubernatorial candidate State Senator David Ige. “This legislation is in the best interest of the public for all citizens, ensuring there are no real or perceived conflicts of interest by members of our community who come forward to serve on certain public boards and commissions. We need people in government who are willing to be forthcoming and transparent.”
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GOVERNOR WILL LET FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BILL BECOME LAW
News Release from Office of the Governor June 30, 2014
HONOLULU – After conducting a detailed analysis of Senate Bill 2682 (Relating to Financial Disclosure Statements), Gov. Neil Abercrombie today sent a letter to Senate President Donna Mercado Kim and House Speaker Joe Souki stating that he will let the measure become law without his signature. He placed the bill on his intent-to-veto notice to legislators last week to allow for more review time.
In the letter, Gov. Abercrombie stated:
“When it comes to the role of volunteer participation in the policy and decision-making process of governing in a democracy, the power of government to intrude in people’s lives becomes far more than a technical issue. It goes beyond labels of left and right. The whole rationale of democratic governance, after all, is to ensure the protection of individual rights, particularly in matters of personal information and dignity.
“There are tough issues to be considered in this bill with competing values: Legitimate inquiry into possible conflicts regarding the public interest versus legitimate concerns about personal information on family, finances, credit history and medical records becoming cannon fodder in political battles.
“It seems reasonable in these circumstances then, to allow this bill to become law with the object of reviewing the disclosure documents to determine what information serves the public interest, what limitations are relevant and most importantly, what constitutes conflict. The issue then, is not about disclosure, but to what end and by what means.”
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