HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira sent the following letter to Maui Senator Roz Baker cc to ‘The Senate’ after a March 19, 2015 hearing at which the Senate Health Committee and Consumer Protection Committee, Chaired by Sen Baker, passed HB1075, authorizing a public-private partnership for Maui Memorial and other Maui HHSC hospitals.  HGEA is against HB1075 because HGEA is the problem which Maui Memorial must overcome to survive.

Senator Baker:     March 20,2015

I am deeply aggravated and highly offended by your lack of decorum, constant and rude interruptions, and abrasive and condescending comments to multiple testifiers during the joint hearing before the Senate Committees on Health and Commerce & Consumer Protection yesterday morning. While we can agree to disagree on policy issues based on merit, your patronizing behavior toward testifiers is strictly unacceptable. The way you conducted yourself was shameful.

Public hearings are an opportunity for the general public to weigh in on legislation and are a fundamental part of our democratic process. Your shameless grandstanding lacks basic courtesy and respect, and is not tolerated in any forum, let alone at the State Capitol. These blatantly rude actions are unbecoming of a Senator and are a disservice to the public, whom you serve.

Being in elected office for 22 years does not grant you Impunity and far too many have tolerated your bullying for too long. I remind you with no uncertainty: the State Legislature is the People's House. While you may currently enjoy the privilege of occupying a seat, you do not own it - it does not belong to you.

Show some respect to the people who put you there, show some integrity to the legislative process, and show some class to the seat you occupy.

The people of Hawai'i expect more from you -and we deserve so much better.

Randy Perreira

Executive Director, HGEA

cc: The Senate

HB1075 Text, Status

PDF: Original letter

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