June 1966

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March 1967

State Program-Planning Time (Marguerite Simson) Present Program (Nan Lowers) Ethics (Nancy Dykes) Lively Issues Nominating Committee Hard at Work State Bylaw Revision ABC Reporting Successful Criteria for Judging State Program Suggestions Apology Mrs. Rosenblum Voter Service Evaluation Workshop

Lively Issues CAMPAIGN PRACTICES: The study of campaign practices involves both Election Laws and Ethics and would be a natural outgrowth of the work which we have already done in both areas. By April most Leaguers will have a broad background of ideas about Ethics in Government as it applies to lawmakers, administrators, and those who interpret the laws. A more specialized emphasis could be aimed at those seeking office. Campaign contributions, influence-peddling, legislation affecting possible contributors, full declaration of sources of support, costs of campaigning--much could be included in the scope of such an item. CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION: What could be more timely than a study by the League of Hawaii's Constitution (we should know it fairly well, having covered it in preparation for State League-hood) and possible changes which could be made. The Constitution is the basic law of the state. When Constitutional Convention delegates are elected, they will seek guidelines from the public. The League, if prepared, could make an important contribution to the state. REAPPORTIONMENT: Perhaps the League does not want to cover such an extensive area as the whole constitution of the State of Hawaii. One part of the whole we could study in depth would be reapportionment. Nothing that has been done up to now need be considered the final answer to the apportionment problem in the state, unless it is the yardstick provided by the Supreme Court: equal representation. The League might like to have a part in the). discussion which will certainly take place on this very. League-like topic. THE JUDICIARY: Instead, the League might like to center its attention on another topic which will be part of the Constitutional discussion: the appointment or election of judges, and the means by which either election or appointment shall be handled. Not everyone in the state is satisfied that the present method of selecting judges is the best for Hawaii. Would a fresh approach to the problem be helpful at this time: STATE-LOCAL RELATIONS: The issue of home-rule is not dead, nor is the discussion of distribution of tax money at a standstill. Hawaii is a new state, experimenting in now patterns of governmental jurisdictions. The League could be a significant voice in the dialogue over centralization vs. local judgment in such areas as economic, physical, and social planning, highway building, public health, environmental control, and traffic safety. STATE FINANCES: We do not find ourselves--yet--in the position which has pushed many State Leagues into a study of tax structures and sources of state income. They have adopted positions favoring programs in area after area only to find that without new sources of financing, or revision of tax allocations, the programs could not be carried out. Maybe we ought to begin from the financial beginning, and learn all about Hawaii's tax picture before we study programs which will necessarily be affected by the money available to carry them out. TRANSPORTATION: A study of transportation could include traffic safety and the role the state should play; inter-island air and surface transportation; highways and freeways, their financing, placement, need for them, time-table for construction; mass transit. Location and public policies controlling transportation facilities will deeply affect the state's growth and land use patterns. Engineering, land use and revenue considerations often lead to conflicting conclusions regarding a "desirable" transportation network. What role should the state play in planning transportation facilities for all islands? Perhaps the League ought to become informed about an area with so much impact on the future of the state. EDUCATION: The variations of such a subject are endless. The interest in it among women who are mothers, and taxpayers, must be nearly universal. What would you take up first? Curriculum? Financing? higher Education? Its sub-topic, Community Colleges? Vocational Education? A sub-study of DHR could make it Education of the Underprivileged Child--this item is just like a smorgasbord. Some topics suggested in other states: Water(or Air and Water); Conservation; Welfare; Mental Health; Public Health; The Legislature; the Executive; Governmental Services; State Planning. The hope is that these suggestions will be taken apart, recombined in discussion, used as stepping stones to other lively topics, until every member knows what she really wants to study. Suggestions may come from Local Leagues and from members. If you must miss the Unit meetings where program planning is discussed, please take time to let us hear your ideas. Our program can only be fun if YOU are studying and YOU are acting on what you want to do. Help us--give us your ideas. It is YOUR League. Sue Thorndike's 3-year old calls us the "Ligga-Wiggie-wiggies."

June 1966

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March 1967