Senator Sam Slom Sidelined for Tuesday Floor Vote
News Release from Office of Sen Sam Slom April 12, 2016
HONOLULU — Senator Sam Slom will be excused from today's long floor session, due to an upcoming coronary bypass surgery. This will be the first time since 1996- his first year in the Hawaii Senate- that Senator Slom will miss a key voting session. Not surprisingly however, he is conducting business as usual, albeit from the sidelines.
"As always, I'm watching for 'bad bills' and preparing for the final vote of the 2016 session, on May 5," said Senator Slom. "With the help of my staff, I'll continue to serve the people of Hawaii from reckless, wasteful legislation."
There are the usual suspects, such as measures to raise taxes, mandate insurance coverage, increase funding for collective bargaining, establish a special fund, infringe on the constitutional right to bear arms, or further enlarge state government. But this year, other new and potentially harmful bills have advanced:
Big, bad bureaucracy and unintended consequences
· HB1847 HD2 SD2 would establish a Sports and Entertainment Authority, costing an undisclosed amount of taxpayer dollars.
· SB3072 SD2 HD1 would authorize the governor to establish the Hawaii Airport Authority, adding an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.
· SB2083 SD1 HD1 would prohibit adults from smoking in a motor vehicle when a child is present. Sounds great, but inhibits an adult's personal freedom to engage in a legal activity, and could lead to arbitrary traffic stops.
· HB2561 HD1 SD1 would, among other things, raise threshold dollar amounts for multiple levels of theft. If passed, this measure would deal a painful blow to retailers and be a victory for career crooks.
· HB970 HD1 SD2 would authorize the director of the Department of Transportation to circumvent the legislative process and unilaterally increase motor vehicle inspection fees.
Senator Slom appreciates the well wishes from the public and his colleagues in the legislature, and expects to be back in action soon.
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