Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 4, 1 April 1995 — State budget crunch puts HSEC, plebiscite in jeopardy [ARTICLE]

State budget crunch puts HSEC, plebiscite in jeopardy

bv Deborah L. \Vard

Though it was formed in a post-'Onipa'a Centennial wave of hope and energy, the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council is facing some harsh eeonomie and polilieal realities today. To some, HSEC is just one of many state-funded entities being affected by budget cuts or a funding freeze imposed by Governor Ben Cayetano in respon.se to the state's $250 million budget deficit. To Hawaiians, it means another obstacle on the road to self-determina-tion. Faced with a freeze on its current-year state and OHA-matched funds, tlie Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council (HSEC) has grave concems about being able to follow its timetable for the plebiscite of Hawaiians this fall. The plebiscite would ask Hawaiians to vote, yes or no, on this question: "Shall the Hawaiian people elect delegates to propose a native Hawaiian govemment?" The plebiscite does not ask people to vote at this time on a specific model of sovereignty. It is seen only as beginning a multi-step process for all Hawaiians to participate in forming a Hawaiian nation. HSEC executive director Lulani McKenzie says that the Govemor's hold on state general funds on the balance of close to $900,000 in the HSEC's current budget is delaying the council's activities by preventing them ffom hiring staff and letting contracts carry out their work. She points out that, unlike other state agencies, whieh are ongoing, the eouneil has a very large task to accomplish in a very short time. The 20-member HSEC is expected to conduct voter registration and sovereignty education programs for the plebiscite. The eouneil has planned a vote by mail between Sept. 25 and Nov. 5, 1995. Voter registration began in January this year. HSEC's budget this fiscal year is $1.8 million. Under a tripartite agreement, executed among OHA, HSEC and the state Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), a special interest-bearing account was established in DAGS to receive the money appropriated by OHA and the state. HSEC's plebiscite registration outreach to Hawaiians includes an extensive media campaign planned for Hawai'i and the mainland. An iniūal 60-second TV spot, whieh ran for 20 days to kiek off the plebiscite registration process, generated more than 1 ,000 calls for registration forms, she said. McKenzie said that the govemor has requested, and has received from the HSEC, detailed information on HSEC's expenditures and budget projections. Kathleen Racuya-Markrich, spokesperson for Govemor Cayetano, said that this information is being analyzed continued on page 5

by the state Budget and Finance department as part of its assessment of all state department and agency budgets. She said that the governor will not release any funds unīil he has all the facts to decide whether the expenditure of funds is appropriate.

HSEC from page 1

HJsbC education committee chairperson Mahealani Kamauu said that meanwhile, the eouneil is beginning to set up information meetings with Hawaiian groups, and organizations in the state with Hawaiian members or employees, such as unions and state agencies. "We will have information and registration booths at shopping centers, and door-to-door eampaigns to get out the word. Plus we have many speaking engagements." Volunteers are being trained to assist in this massive education campaign.

A bill to secure funding for the HSEC in FY 95-96 was introduced in this year's Legislature. This bill allows HSEC to carry forward into FY95-96 any unexpended funds in the current budget. To date, HSEC has realized a "savings" of about $425,000, due to the budget freeze, says McKenzie. The HSEC has asked the Senate to amend the bill to reflect that savings, whieh would go to reduce the original budget request, to $460,000 in FY95-96. This would

give the HSEC a total budget of $860,000 to eonhnue its education and registration outreach, to print and mail out the plebiscite ballots, and count the retumed ballots. McKenzie said, "If the funding ean be released and we ean obtain the necessary appropriation in the next fiscal year, the eouneil feels it ean accomplish what needs to be done. We are also confident that we ean reach the people and get the word out, to register and get the numbers to make the plebiscite effective and credible." But, she added, "If the Govemor says 'no' to releasing money in this fiscal year, HSEC must re-evaluate if it ean continue its work as set in its timeline. If funding is not released, then the plebiscite probably cannot be done this year. If the eouneil decided to continue, would they want to extend the hmeline into the next fiscal year, or decide to dissolve?"

At prc*s.s tirne, MeKen/ie said that the chair ol the Hawaiian Affairs committcc. Scn. James Aki's refusal t<> hcar the hill oi refer it to the Ways and Means Commiltee wouhi effeciivel\ kill the state funding for ncxt ycar. "Thc L'ouneil N disappointcd and does not understand the chair's hesitation," McKenzie saiil.