District 25 News

Makiki, Tantalus, McCully, Papakolea Summer 2011

Aloha Neighbor,
This Summer Edition of District 25 News features highlights from the 26th Legislature. Its sometimes difficult to follow the twists and turns of the legislative process, and I want to share some of the important issues both those that made headlines and those that did not with you. Please also save Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 6:00 pm, for a community-wide Legislative Coffee Talk with me to review this past years accomplishments and challenges, discuss prospective legislation for the 2012 session, and talk story about any other community concerns or questions you may have! Ill be hosting this Community Coffee Talk at Makiki District Parks Arts & Craft Building. In the meantime, please help me welcome my new office manager, Jon Kawamura, to my office. Jon or I are available to answer your questions or community concerns at (808) 586-9425 or you can e-mail me directly at repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov. Hope you and your family have a safe and happy summer! With warm regards,

Della Au Belatti

Aloha and Mahalo to Session Staff

The work of a legislative office that represents over 22,000 residents in one of Hawaiis most dense, most urban, and most diverse districts can be challenging. This year, Representative Belatti was fortunate to have a great session staff that skillfully managed committee hearings, addressed constituent concerns, researched the myriad of issues considered by the Legislature, and coordinated the many community meetings and activities we held in the neighborhood and at the Capitol. Mahalo to Sabrina Yoza, Judy Ma, Jonalyn Uehara, Bernadette Fo, Bernard Fo, (not pictured) Joal Murakami, and Jon Kawamura for their hard work and dedication!

Legislative Update 2011

In 2011, the primary challenge for the State Legislature was rectifying a $1.3 billion deficit over the remainder of fiscal year 2011 and the next biennium of fiscal years 2012-2013. As in the past two years, the Legislature achieved a balanced budget through a combination of aggressive cuts and revenue-generating measures. The Legislature also addressed critical areas including consumer protection, education, health care, and affordable housing.
The following are brief highlights of the Legislatures accomplishments by select issue areas. If you would like to learn more about the past legislative session or discuss proposals for 2012, please contact Representative Belatti at 586-9425 or at repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov. She would be happy to meet with you or a group of neighbors to discuss important legislative and community matters.

Tackling Government Expenditures

The State Budget (HB200; Act 164). The 2011 budget bill covers the next two fiscal years and appropriates $5.4 billion in general funds ($11 billion in all means of financing) for FY2012, and $5.5 billion ($10.9 billion in all means of financing) for FY2013. To balance the budget and close a projected deficit of $1 billion over the next biennium, the Legislature made over $600 million in cuts to government. Included in the cuts are labor savings of $88.2 million in each year of the biennium on the assumption that most state workers will take a 5% pay cut and the 5% pay cuts in the salaries of state legislators, judges, the governor, lieutenant governor, and department heads and deputies will be extended. Reducing the States Unfunded Liability (HB1038; Act 163). For state and county workers hired prospectively (after June 30, 2012), this bill makes needed changes by decreasing employees retirement benefits and increasing contribution rates in order to maintain the retirement system in a fiscally responsible manner and reduce the States future unfunded liability.
July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2013 General Funds Only

Mortgage Foreclosures (SB651; Act 48). Enacts one of the nations strongest mortgage foreclosure laws protecting owner-occupants. Establishes a 3-year Mortgage Foreclosure Dispute Resolution Program for non-judicial foreclosures beginning no later than October 1, 2011. Voids any mortgage foreclosure actions taken by unlicensed nonexempt mortgage servicer and prohibits egregious misconduct by foreclosing mortgagees.

Protecting Consumers

Among other provisions, the law also permits under certain circumstances the conversion of non-judicial foreclosures to judicial foreclosures; prohibits deficiency judgments after non-judicial foreclosures in certain circumstances; and requires certain large mortgage servicers to maintain an office in Hawaii to address consumer inquiries, complaints and to accept service of process starting July 1, 2012. There is also a moratorium on any new non-judicial foreclosures under the old process until July 1, 2012.

Improving Education
Implementing Increased Student Instructional Time (HB945; Act 52). Implements the minimum school year and student instructional hours requirements passed in 2010 in a manageable and fiscally responsible way. Exempts multi-track schools from the requirement, staggers the implementation of the increased student instructional hours requirement, permits waivers by the Board of Education, and requires the Department of Education to assess the ability of schools to comply with the increased minimum hours. Reconstituting Schools (SB1485; Act 148). Authorizes the Superintendent of Education to reconstitute public schools that are failing (not including charter schools). Under reconstitution, the Superintendent may replace staff, contract with a private entity to manage the school, and/or change the membership of the school community council. Funding, Governance & Accountability of Public Charter Schools (SB1174; Act 130). Requires charter school budget requests for needs-based facilities funding to include a detailed explanation as to the formula used and the funding request breakdown by school. Requires charter schools and their local school boards to develop internal policies and procedures consistent with ethical standards of conduct. Establishes a task force to address issues on charter school governance, accountability, and authority.

State Capitol (March 17, 2011): During Education Week at the Capitol, Representatives Saiki and Belatti congratulate Washington Middle School Principal Michael Harano for being named the 2010 Hawaii Distinguished Principal of the Year.

Addressing Affordable Housing

Stimulating the Development of Low-Income Housing (HB960; Act 158). Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to grant no-interest low-income housing tax credit loans in order to encourage the development and preservation of rental housing for lower income families. Retaining Affordable Housing Rental Units (SB903). Creates the affordable rental housing development program. Allows non-profits to acquire expiring federal housing contracts to ensure that projects remain as affordable housing.

Marc Alexander, the Governors Coordinator on Homelessness in Hawaii, addresses a standing-room only crowd at a Community Conversation sponsored by Representative Belatti and the Parish of St. Clement.

Ensuring Access to Health Care

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (HB484; Act 110). The shortage of quality primary care health care providers directly impacts access to health care throughout our State. Requires hospitals to allow APRNs to practice within the full scope of their allowable practice, including as a primary care provider. Authorizes prescriptive authority to request and dispense manufacturers pre-packaged samples of over-the-counter and non-controlled legend drugs. Health Insurance Exchange (SB1348). Establishes the Hawaii Health Connector (HHC), the States health insurance exchange, pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. HHC will facilitate the purchase and sale of qualified health and dental plans, enable consumers to purchase coverage and manage health and dental plans electronically, and serve as a clearinghouse for information.

Opposition Votes that Did Not Make the Headlines

In a Democratically-controlled Legislature (24-1 in the Senate; 43-8 in the House), opposition votes do not often make the news. However, opposition is present throughout the legislative process. The following are several measures that Representative Belatti opposed during the 2011 legislative session:
Increasing Motor Vehicle Registration Fees (SB1328; Act 162). Increases the motor vehicle registration fee from $25 to $45, and increases the portion deposited into the State Highway Fund. (Passed House 31-8; Passed Senate 20-4; Enacted 6/23/11; Effective 7/1/11. Increasing Vehicle Weight Taxes (SB1329; Act 86). Doubles or nearly doubles the vehicle weight tax depending on weight of vehicle. (Passed House 33-16; Passed Senate 22-2; Enacted 6/8/11; Effective 7/1/11.) Utilizing the Hurricane Relief Fund (SB1270; Act 62). Appropriates $42 million from the hurricane reserve trust fund to the general fund for purpose of balancing state budget in fiscal year 2010-11. Authorizes Governor to transfer additional moneys from the hurricane fund to the general fund for the purpose of balancing the state budget in fiscal year 2010-11. Establishes a mechanism for the automatic replenishment of the hurricane reserve trust fund from general excise tax revenues in fiscal years 2013-15. (Passed House 47-2; Passed Senate 24-1; Enacted & effective 5/26/11.) Creating a Public Land Development Corporation (SB1555; Act 55). Creates a development arm of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create recreation and leisure areas for the public and visitors to our State. Tasks this Public Land Development Corporation with administering an appropriate and culturally-sensitive public land development program. (Passed House 40-9; Passed Senate 23-1; Enacted 5/20/11; Effective 7/1/11.) Eliminating Hawaiis Health Care External Review Process (SB1274). Repeals Hawaiis current health care external review process of health carriers adverse actions and amends process to conform with federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 when rules and regulations under the federal health care act have yet to be finalized. (Passed House 43-6; Passed Senate 23-1.)

District Project Funding Update

Each year the Legislature appropriates funding for important capital improvement and infrastructure projects throughout the State. This year was no different with District 25 schools and facilities receiving over $20 million in appropriations as listed below.
Lincoln Elementary $200,000 Design & construction for air conditioning Upgrades and Ground and Site Improvements Washington Middle School $180,000 Design & construction for electrical upgrades for the school kitchen, cafeteria & Building B. Stevenson Middle School $7.2M Plans, design & construction of multi-purpose science learning center Stevenson Middle School $11,370 Reroofing project for administrative building Roosevelt High School $1M Design & construction to meet health & safety requirements including Phase I of Fire Protection Plan & fire hydrants. Roosevelt High School $900,000 Renovation & upgrades of existing science labs. Design & construction of new labs as needed. McKinley High School $5M Plans, design & construction of synthetic track & field. Ground & site improvements. McKinley High School $950,000 Renovation & upgrades of existing science labs. Design & construction of new labs as needed. McKinley High School Improvements to Hirata Hall. Papakolea Hawaiian Homestead Community Sewer system upgrades. $4,539 $5M

Papakolea Hawaiian $250,000 Homestead Community Design & construction for improvements to Papakolea Community Development Center. In addition to these funds, Governor Neil Abercrombie has released $7,750,000 that was previously appropriated for the design and construction of the multi-purpose educational facility to support the science curriculum and program at Stevenson Middle School. Beginning in 2007, the Stevenson community initiated a campus planning process that involved Stevenson students, parents, faculty, and staff, as well as neighbors and leaders of other area schools. One of the primary outcomes of this campus planning process was to design a facility to support Stevensons innovative plans to become a Science Focused Middle School. Mahalo to Governor Abercrombie for the release of these funds to help the Stevenson community and her students realize this dream!