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Legislative Log - April 1972"BY WOMEN?!??!!"
the League debut in finance action The Scene: Senate Education Committee Hearing room
After the hearing the testimony became a best seller. Curriculum Specialists, Dr. Amioka, Supt. of Department of Education, Dr, Miyasato, Supt. of Honolulu District and DOE extras asked for copies and complimented the League on the testimony. The President of the Senate who had been auditing the hearing also expressed appreciation that some group had done such a good job on this vital area, and encouraged us to react to future Legislative budget proposals. What created all this excitement? The testimony follows TESTIMONY SR 46 March 28, 1972 My name is Suzanne Thornlike and I represent the League of Women Voters. My testimony relates to SR 46 and is based on conclusions resulting from a study of public K-12 education conducted last year. Our position on budget implementation calls for close adherence to the budget as passed, and calls on the Governor to follow established priorities. We are, of course, in the midst of a difficult fiscal period. But it appears the budget is being cut by the Governor without benefit of clear guidelines or priorities. In Legislative hearings we have witnessed uncertainty over the scope of programs because it is not known what money will be available. In addition the new teacher contract is reportedly going to require at least some internal juggling of positions and funds. SR 46 refers to continuing "CURRENT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES." But for a long range solution to confusion such as we are witnessing at the present time, the League position on budget formulation looks for a more defined system of priority setting; one that would produce a more realistic evaluation of possibilities within the projected fiscal picture. We feel that if hard decisions are not made by the DOE, Board of Education and the Legislature when the budget is formulated, they will be made as the budget is reviewed by Budget and Finance or later as it is implemented. This we feel, is a misplacement of responsibility and produces a system with no obvious priorities. Therefore, we support the suggestion (made in last year's Committee Report accompanying the budget and made again in the recently released report of the Interim Committee on PPB) that the Department of Budget and Finance provide the DOE with allocation ceilings to provide a realistic framework from which to begin its work. Meantime, this year, in the absence of firm guidelines, the League thinks the DOE should provide the Legislature with program alternatives and an assessment of the cost items in the new teacher contract so they can give guidance to the administration under the altered fiscal picture. We believe the public has the right to know which programs might be altered and to react to new proposals. Unfortunately, the lateness of the legislative calendar will probably preclude that opportunity. SPONTANEOUS TESTIMONIAL FOR THE LEAGUE The Legislature was in an uproar. Senate and House Judiciary Committee members were awaiting arrival of U.S. Attorney Fukuda, who had been subpoenaed to discuss his accusations that the Legislature was being influenced by underworld gambling interests. Against this background, the House Education Committee proceeded with its business anyway, but on a much more informal basis than usual. House Committee members and student leaders discussed and fussed over corruption in student body elections. Frances McLeod, State Vice President interjected that election procedures is an area in which League expertise is recognized and that we would be glad to offer a workshop to high school groups is they desired. The representative of the Teacher Union (HSTA) spontaneously confirmed the League's expertise, telling of the invaluable aid. the League gave in the teacher contract ratification vote. SENATORIAL ASIDE IN A HEARING OF THE SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: "The League and I have often disagreed. When I tried to get an appointed School Board, they disagreed with me every night." (He was referring to our 1969 referendum victory. )
TO MEMBERS OF THE SIXTH STATE LEGISLATURE FROM: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HAWAII SUBJECT: BOARD OF EDUCATION Relating to the various bills dealing with the Board of Education, its apportionment, election, appointment, etc., and in anticipation that these proposals may go to Conference Committee, the League outlines its position on structure of education. We believe many legislators interpreted our opposition to the 1970 ballot issues to mean the League would support only the status quo in educational structure; therefore we are anxious to have you understand our specific aims, which are;
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