Pushing Legal Remedies For The Windward Side
By Cynthia Thielen
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.us
In the 2011 legislative session at the Capitol, we legislators have an opportunity to address the issues and concerns facing our districts and the state through the measures we introduce. To this end, I am continuing my focus this year on renewable energy issues, environmental protection, and women’s and children’s health and safety issues.
Kailua is a strong and thriving community with a rich history and beautiful setting. As our town grows and changes, leadership decisions on infrastructure, environmental considerations and educational resources will continue to shape and impact the character and resources particular to our area. I hope to help maintain Kailua’s vibrancy through helping our schools, ensuring energy security, shoreline stability, toxin-free products for keiki, and preventing plant theft in our commercial and residential districts.
Among the measures I’ve introduced this session are the following bills:
* HB9 Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax (Barrel Tax): 60 percent of funds were allocated to the General Fund in 2010. This bill returns moneys to renewable energy and food security programs.
* HB10 Financing the Installation of Photovoltaic Solar Panels on Schools: Will reduce utility bills now paid by the schools.
* HB11 Education: Amends law to require that children who are at least 5 years of age on or before Aug. 1 of the school year attend a public school kindergarten (present law does not require attendance).
* HB12 Plant Theft: Requires a person who steals agricultural products or commodities to pay the property owner the value of the stolen product and the cost of replanting. (Hearing was held Feb. 11 before the House Agriculture Committee.)
|
* HB8 Renewable Energy: Establishes renewable energy cooperatives, where one farm could produce power to be used and paid for by others in the district.
* HB683 and HB1194 Toxic Products: Prohibit the use of toxic chemicals in children’s food and drink containers, childcare products and toys.
* HB926 Shoreline Setbacks (Accretion): Prohibits inclusion of accreted lands in determining shoreline setback line in counties with population of more than 500,000.
* HB1148 and HB1192 Dog Breeders: Regulate commercial dog breeders to prevent inhumane puppy mills.
* HB1191 Capital Improvement Projects: Appropriates funds for CIP in schools for the 50th District.
* HB1193 Public Utilities Commission: Requires the PUC to give its highest priority to policies on increased renewable energy use and clean energy implementation.
Through these and other initiatives, I hope to protect our district’s unique and beautiful natural resources, improve and ensure the health and education of our keiki, and help Hawai’i achieve energy independence and security. To learn more about these bills and to follow their progress, you may visit http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov, call the Public Access Room at 587-0478 or go online at hawaii.gov/lrb/par, or call my office.
Contact state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R-District 50 (Kailua, Kaneohe Bay) at 586-6480 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
