Tuesday’s Advertiser has a picture of the Prez and the gov doing a shaka. The gov’s looked sad. So now we know who really is from Hawaii.
It’s kinda funny to me that HSTA is reorganizing to better serve its members. When they still haven’t figured out to keep their web site updated or the Advocate delivered on time.
It also seems that the only times it is mailed Roger’s or Mike’s picture is on it. And it comes off as a CYA document. (for you younger folks it means Cover Your A-- )
Sen. Inouye says over $200 million is coming in to Hawaii for education from the stimulus bill. I guess the governor should have went to the “met and greet” earlier. She might have been able to take credit for that too.
Palin had to reimburse the state of Alaska for some unnecessary travel by her family. Heck even I thought her daughter using the state plane to go to a concert was okay.
Please comment so I know what you think. Or email me at egan.kawamoto@gmail.com. If you want it posted let me know. You don’t even have to agree with me. In fact I may want to have disagreements more. Keeps my brain going. Thanks all.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Civil Unions or Same Sex Marriage
Is there a difference between the two? I don’t know. Wikipedia has an informative article “Recognition of same-sex unions in Hawaii”. It briefly covers the background of same sex unions in Hawaii. There is also a link to the Dept. of Health about reciprocal beneficiary.
I don’t know if this is a good idea or not. It may become costly for employers. It may be a way to cover the uninsured or underinsured. But at what cost?
I must credit the senate committee for listening and Senator Bunda for his statement in Sunday’s paper. A lot of thought was put into this and hopefully both sides feel that they were heard. The senate has to do what it has to do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Hawaii
http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/reciprocal/index.html
I don’t know if this is a good idea or not. It may become costly for employers. It may be a way to cover the uninsured or underinsured. But at what cost?
I must credit the senate committee for listening and Senator Bunda for his statement in Sunday’s paper. A lot of thought was put into this and hopefully both sides feel that they were heard. The senate has to do what it has to do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Hawaii
http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/reciprocal/index.html
HSTA or HTA
I was just reading that Mike McCartney is scheduled to be named the head of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. What's up with that? What is happening at HSTA?
There is talk about returning to the basics. But that is not happening either.
I've been inactive for not even a year and it seems that things are out of control.
What is happening to the public unions. HGEA, HSTA and UPW. What's happening? i'm confused as well as disappointed.
There is talk about returning to the basics. But that is not happening either.
I've been inactive for not even a year and it seems that things are out of control.
What is happening to the public unions. HGEA, HSTA and UPW. What's happening? i'm confused as well as disappointed.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Recalling Bills
RECALLING BILLS
Under Article III, Section 12 of the state Constitution, state House and Senate leaders can recall bills from committee with a one-third vote. In the Senate, that means nine of 25 members. Here is the provision from the Constitution:
"Twenty days after a bill has been referred to a committee in either house, the bill may be recalled from such committee by the affirmative vote of one-third of the members to which such house is entitled."
From the Advertiser
Under Article III, Section 12 of the state Constitution, state House and Senate leaders can recall bills from committee with a one-third vote. In the Senate, that means nine of 25 members. Here is the provision from the Constitution:
"Twenty days after a bill has been referred to a committee in either house, the bill may be recalled from such committee by the affirmative vote of one-third of the members to which such house is entitled."
From the Advertiser
Sunday, February 22, 2009
LEG Bills
Just some info I collected and would like to share. Red is that the bill was held by the committee. This is good but does not mean it is dead and will be around till next year.
1. HB 1714, Voluntary Unpaid Leave. Authorizes state employers to establish a voluntary unpaid leave program for state employees from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. (Wooley)
2. HB 1719, EUTF; Retirement Prior to Medicare Age; Suspended Coverage. Suspends state and county contributions to the EUTF for all state and county employee beneficiaries who retire after 7/1/09, regardless of date of hire and years of service, if the employee retires before the employee's Medicare retirement age. Resumes coverage after Medicare retirement age. Allows employee to retain health coverage through the EUTF by paying the respective state or county share of premiums until Medicare requirement age. (Say) HELD
3. HB 1721, EUTF, Health benefits plan design. Requires the board of trustees of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund to design and provide a health benefits plan for active employees and their dependent-beneficiaries that does not exceed a specified maximum projected cost. (Say)
4. HB 1722, EUTF, Health Benefits Plan. Requires from 7/1/09 until 6/30/2015, the employer-union trust fund to provide to active employees and their dependent-beneficiaries the minimum health benefits plan required under the Hawaii prepaid health care act. Does not affect retired employees and their dependent-beneficiaries. (Say)
5. HB 1723, EUTF; Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association trust; Employer Contributions. Makes employer contributions to the employer-union health benefits trust fund non- negotiable under collective bargaining. Establishes employer contributions for active public employees at 55 per cent of month cost of the health benefits plan, (Say)
6. HB 1725, EUTF, Exclusion of Prescription Drug Coverage. From 7/1/09 to 6/30/1015, (1) prohibits health benefits plan of the employer-union health benefits trust fund from providing prescription drug coverage; and (2) allows board of trustees to make prescription drug benefits available through drug coverage plans that are paid for entirely by employee-beneficiaries. (Say) HELD
7. HB 1726, EUTF, Group Life Insurance Prohibition. Prohibits the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund from providing group life insurance benefits if any of the premiums are paid by the State or a county. Allows the trust fund to contract with a group life insurer to make available group life insurance benefits to employee-beneficiaries provided that none of the premiums are paid by the State or any county and the insurer pays a fee to the board of trustees. (Say) HELD
8. HB 1727, EUTF, Exclusion of Dental and Vision Coverage. Prohibits the health benefits plan of the employer-union health benefits trust fund from providing dental and vision coverage from 7/1/09 until 6/30/2015. Allows the board of trustees to make dental and vision benefits available to employee-beneficiaries at no cost to the employers. (Say) HELD
9. SB 642, Eliminates overtime for excluded civil service employees. (Hee)
1. HB 1714, Voluntary Unpaid Leave. Authorizes state employers to establish a voluntary unpaid leave program for state employees from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. (Wooley)
2. HB 1719, EUTF; Retirement Prior to Medicare Age; Suspended Coverage. Suspends state and county contributions to the EUTF for all state and county employee beneficiaries who retire after 7/1/09, regardless of date of hire and years of service, if the employee retires before the employee's Medicare retirement age. Resumes coverage after Medicare retirement age. Allows employee to retain health coverage through the EUTF by paying the respective state or county share of premiums until Medicare requirement age. (Say) HELD
3. HB 1721, EUTF, Health benefits plan design. Requires the board of trustees of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund to design and provide a health benefits plan for active employees and their dependent-beneficiaries that does not exceed a specified maximum projected cost. (Say)
4. HB 1722, EUTF, Health Benefits Plan. Requires from 7/1/09 until 6/30/2015, the employer-union trust fund to provide to active employees and their dependent-beneficiaries the minimum health benefits plan required under the Hawaii prepaid health care act. Does not affect retired employees and their dependent-beneficiaries. (Say)
5. HB 1723, EUTF; Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association trust; Employer Contributions. Makes employer contributions to the employer-union health benefits trust fund non- negotiable under collective bargaining. Establishes employer contributions for active public employees at 55 per cent of month cost of the health benefits plan, (Say)
6. HB 1725, EUTF, Exclusion of Prescription Drug Coverage. From 7/1/09 to 6/30/1015, (1) prohibits health benefits plan of the employer-union health benefits trust fund from providing prescription drug coverage; and (2) allows board of trustees to make prescription drug benefits available through drug coverage plans that are paid for entirely by employee-beneficiaries. (Say) HELD
7. HB 1726, EUTF, Group Life Insurance Prohibition. Prohibits the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund from providing group life insurance benefits if any of the premiums are paid by the State or a county. Allows the trust fund to contract with a group life insurer to make available group life insurance benefits to employee-beneficiaries provided that none of the premiums are paid by the State or any county and the insurer pays a fee to the board of trustees. (Say) HELD
8. HB 1727, EUTF, Exclusion of Dental and Vision Coverage. Prohibits the health benefits plan of the employer-union health benefits trust fund from providing dental and vision coverage from 7/1/09 until 6/30/2015. Allows the board of trustees to make dental and vision benefits available to employee-beneficiaries at no cost to the employers. (Say) HELD
9. SB 642, Eliminates overtime for excluded civil service employees. (Hee)
HSTA
I'm taking a little time to do a rant on HSTA and its leadership.
I got a note that I wasn't at institute day and I should contact my uniserv for info. Okay I didn't go. Maybe I should have gone. But sending me a note in December is a waste of money. Which leads to my second rant.
It justs takes too long for the membership to get info. When I was in Hana the Advocate was always a month behind. How do they choose what is mailed and what is passed out? The website doesn't turn over fast enough. My biggest gripe is when I wanted something on the Web Site I was told it was simple and it could be done. When it wasn't I was told it's because it was more difficult that they thought. When I requested an extra meeting one person said okay it could be done, then another said it couldn't. It was said I was told something earlier, yet I wasn't able to share the info with my committee because I hadn't had a meeting. Now the final rant.
This reorganizing of HSTA sure is secretive. There is a committee to do this but the outcome is already announced. It seems that the governor has influenced how HSTA is choosing to conduct their business. Creating the final report before the committee reports.
More and more I am hearing from teachers who have not felt supported by the union. The public believes that a union protects bad workers. In many cases our union is choosing to assist who they want. As the elections for our HSTA leaders approach please make a serious decision. Ask has our leadership worked in the best interests of teachers or themselves. Unfortunately I wonder.
I got a note that I wasn't at institute day and I should contact my uniserv for info. Okay I didn't go. Maybe I should have gone. But sending me a note in December is a waste of money. Which leads to my second rant.
It justs takes too long for the membership to get info. When I was in Hana the Advocate was always a month behind. How do they choose what is mailed and what is passed out? The website doesn't turn over fast enough. My biggest gripe is when I wanted something on the Web Site I was told it was simple and it could be done. When it wasn't I was told it's because it was more difficult that they thought. When I requested an extra meeting one person said okay it could be done, then another said it couldn't. It was said I was told something earlier, yet I wasn't able to share the info with my committee because I hadn't had a meeting. Now the final rant.
This reorganizing of HSTA sure is secretive. There is a committee to do this but the outcome is already announced. It seems that the governor has influenced how HSTA is choosing to conduct their business. Creating the final report before the committee reports.
More and more I am hearing from teachers who have not felt supported by the union. The public believes that a union protects bad workers. In many cases our union is choosing to assist who they want. As the elections for our HSTA leaders approach please make a serious decision. Ask has our leadership worked in the best interests of teachers or themselves. Unfortunately I wonder.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
EUTF
It seems that speaker say has decided that state and county workers, for the good of the economy , should join the ranks of the working poor. Under the guise of balancing the budget he seems to think that letting large numbers of working people become destitute.
I hope this is a ploy and he is smarter than this. It is like the article I read from the Washington Post about how WalMart's health plan should serve as a model. Of course when you read the article it basically says that some WalMart employees are under the company plan but a lot are underpaid and receive government subsidized health insurance. So the plan the state is proposing is less people on EUTF but more with MedQuest or Cobra or whatever that program is.
Health coverage is the last place the state should cut. The majority of bankruptcies in the US is caused by catastrophic health. So all this will do will be to make the economy worst. Except if you work for HMSA.
An email that was forwarded to me asked "Where is Roger?" Probably on a trip.
I hope this is a ploy and he is smarter than this. It is like the article I read from the Washington Post about how WalMart's health plan should serve as a model. Of course when you read the article it basically says that some WalMart employees are under the company plan but a lot are underpaid and receive government subsidized health insurance. So the plan the state is proposing is less people on EUTF but more with MedQuest or Cobra or whatever that program is.
Health coverage is the last place the state should cut. The majority of bankruptcies in the US is caused by catastrophic health. So all this will do will be to make the economy worst. Except if you work for HMSA.
An email that was forwarded to me asked "Where is Roger?" Probably on a trip.
Friday, February 13, 2009
House Bills
Speaker Say has introduced a number of bills that are harmful to public worker benefits. It is interesting the amount of chatter I see on my email. It is interesting for two reasons 1) the amount of teachers who have suddenly become interested in bills at the legislature and 2) that the chatter from the HSTA leadership is non-existent.
I must be critical of HSTA because they do not seem to display a sense of urgency. As well as they seem to not be very open to the membership. The chapter and state elections are soon but it seems that the timeline is compressed as well as secretive. I am no longer active with the union (not by my choice) but I am glad that I am not a part of this fiasco.
For a union that bills itself as the largest democratic organization, the local HSTA is surely not displaying its democracy.
I must be critical of HSTA because they do not seem to display a sense of urgency. As well as they seem to not be very open to the membership. The chapter and state elections are soon but it seems that the timeline is compressed as well as secretive. I am no longer active with the union (not by my choice) but I am glad that I am not a part of this fiasco.
For a union that bills itself as the largest democratic organization, the local HSTA is surely not displaying its democracy.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
reconstituting schools
The superintendent wants the power to reconstitute schools. In essence firing everybody and starting all over. What I have problems with:
1 If there is a school where they have not been successful for years, who would want to work there?
2 It seems that at a lot of those schools there is little, no or even detrimental leadership. And that is a position that was hired by the people who will do the hiring again.
3 After all these years of the DOE saying that NCLB is not working, why are they no proposing this devastating step?
Rep Takumi is right when saying sometimes teachers aren't successful because they aren't in a situation that fits them. I have to agree with this and also what happens to teachers who are used to having certain equipment but at their school they do not have access to it. I taught at Hana School for 4 years and there buying an overhead projector was considered a major purchase.
It seems that the DOE has to do a better job at recruiting principals, training principals and evaluating principals. the governor gave principals @ 20% in raises a few years ago. Saying that they must provide the leadership to improve our schools. So where is the leadership. I guess principals who fail can be like the governor that fails and blame the subordinates.
As for the word reconstitute, don't you do that to soup or shitake mushrooms?
1 If there is a school where they have not been successful for years, who would want to work there?
2 It seems that at a lot of those schools there is little, no or even detrimental leadership. And that is a position that was hired by the people who will do the hiring again.
3 After all these years of the DOE saying that NCLB is not working, why are they no proposing this devastating step?
Rep Takumi is right when saying sometimes teachers aren't successful because they aren't in a situation that fits them. I have to agree with this and also what happens to teachers who are used to having certain equipment but at their school they do not have access to it. I taught at Hana School for 4 years and there buying an overhead projector was considered a major purchase.
It seems that the DOE has to do a better job at recruiting principals, training principals and evaluating principals. the governor gave principals @ 20% in raises a few years ago. Saying that they must provide the leadership to improve our schools. So where is the leadership. I guess principals who fail can be like the governor that fails and blame the subordinates.
As for the word reconstitute, don't you do that to soup or shitake mushrooms?
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Aloha
I don't know how long I'll be doing this. I wanted a blog because I need to vent sometimes. Just some background, I was the Political Action Chair for Central Chapter. I was also the state PAC chair for a year. I was canned. I'm not sure why but I think it was because I did what I thought was right for the teachers I represented.
Anyway I will use this blog to address issues that I feel is important and give my opinions on it.
So for all who don't know Speaker Say has introduced a few bills that are punitive to state employees and retirees. I hope that he did this to begin a discussion but there is a need to protect our health benefits. You should know that the number one cause of bankruptcy is catastrophic health problems. This would also start a mass exodus of government employees, especially teachers.
The governor needs to begin showing some leadership. Her modus operandi of waiting things out and doing what the most people want is not going to work. She needs a plan and needs to step up and show some leadership. Also across the board cuts are an abdication of leadership. I wish I said that first.
I don't understand what is happening at HSTA. Getting rid of MBC may be a good idea but has not been done aboveboard. Why did info on elections come out so late? It seems very secretive now and it also seems that the Board is more loyal to the board than its constituents.
Any way thats all for now. I hope I can do this regularly.
Egan
Anyway I will use this blog to address issues that I feel is important and give my opinions on it.
So for all who don't know Speaker Say has introduced a few bills that are punitive to state employees and retirees. I hope that he did this to begin a discussion but there is a need to protect our health benefits. You should know that the number one cause of bankruptcy is catastrophic health problems. This would also start a mass exodus of government employees, especially teachers.
The governor needs to begin showing some leadership. Her modus operandi of waiting things out and doing what the most people want is not going to work. She needs a plan and needs to step up and show some leadership. Also across the board cuts are an abdication of leadership. I wish I said that first.
I don't understand what is happening at HSTA. Getting rid of MBC may be a good idea but has not been done aboveboard. Why did info on elections come out so late? It seems very secretive now and it also seems that the Board is more loyal to the board than its constituents.
Any way thats all for now. I hope I can do this regularly.
Egan
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