by Dennis Arakaki, Hawaii Family Forum
We are hearing that Senate Judiciary and Operations Chair Brian Taniguchi is going to discuss three amended versions of HB 444, the Civil Unions Bill, with his committee to see if there is support for any of the proposed amended bills. We hear that they are also polling the other senators to see if there is support for a floor vote.

We need to make sure the votes in opposition are solid. Meaning, Bunda, Gabbard and Slom. Gabbard and Slom are solid, but Bunda may need to be re-encouraged to hold firm because he may be inclined to support Sen. Espero's draft.

If you have not done so already, please call and e-mail the Senate Judiciary Committee members (and other senators if time permits) and encourage them not to consider the amended bill at this late stage in the legislative session and instead focus on the urgent issues of the budget. That is what the citizens and their voters expect from them. (You can do this easily from the link button below.)

We also ask consideration to do the following:

Have as many people show up in the Senate gallery tomorrow, APRIL 8, AT 11:30 AM in RED SHIRTS for the possible scheduling of HB 444 FOR DECISION MAKING. TANIGUCHI WILL NEED TO ASK FOR A WAIVER TO DO DECISION MAKING THAT AFTERNOON OR THURSDAY MORNING AT THE LATEST.

IF THE DECISION MAKING MEETING IS SCHEDULED, WE NEED TO PACK THE ROOM FOR THAT HEARING WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON OR THURSDAY MORNING AS WELL.

IF THE BILL PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE, WE NEED MANY PHONE CALLS AND E-MAILS TO ALL THE SENATORS, ASKING THEM TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL.

ALSO, IF THE BILL WITH AMENDMENTS PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE, WE NEED TO PACK THE GALLERIES ON THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2009 AT 11:30 AM.

IF THE BILL PASSES THE FULL SENATE, IT WILL GO TO CONFERENCE AND WE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT STRATEGY FOR THAT.

We appreciate all the effort from you and your people and we pray that you will be at our side and behind us till this issue is over...

Click the link below to log in and send your message: http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/hiff31228446.aspx

Dennis Arakaki is a spokesperson for the Hawaii Family Forum

RELATED: Hawaii Senate Democratic Caucus to Discuss New Version of Civil Unions Bill Today , Hawaii's Proposed Civil Unions Legislation Must Move Forward This Week or Die in the Senate