FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2001
Contact: Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro
Tel.: 586-8505




RECALL ENDANGERS NUMEROUS HOUSE BILLS




House Republicans last night used recall to pull three bills, two of which went through public hearings, from separate House committees. Those actions consumed nearly four hours of session time, forcing the House to extend its session into the early hours of this morning in order to complete its business.


"It's apparent that the Republicans are liberally using the recall provision to create unwarranted and obstructionist delays of the Legislative process," said House Democratic Leader Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro. "I can only guess at their motives, which are cleverly disguised behind calls for floor debates in the spirit of cooperation. It's well-orchestrated."


The three measures, introduced by Republicans, proposed to exempt excise taxes on packaged foods, medical services and residential rent. The bills were recalled from the committees on Economic Development & Business Concerns, Health, and Human Services & Housing, respectively, said Oshiro.


In two cases, public hearings were held by the Economic Development Committee and the Health Committee. Both committees then deferred their measures without objection from the Republican members on those committees, Oshiro said. "On the floor, however, they flip-flopped."


Last night's proceedings, which began at 8:00 p.m., was further prolonged by repeated Republican requests for roll call votes on each motion.


"My feeling is that this is a mean-spirited effort to undermine the Legislature's work in the hope that the blame will fall on Democrats when certain bills die because time runs out," Oshiro said. "But I think it will backfire. I think people will see right through them."


At midnight tonight, there is a House internal deadline that says all bills with more than one committee referral must receive floor approval before moving to its final committee. Any such measure not voted on by midnight is dead for this session.


"The four recall motions so far by the Republicans have caused horrendous delays -- committees have had to reschedule or postpone hearings, and citizens waiting to testify have been badly inconvenienced. I think the Republicans knew this would happen. I think they also know that their insincere and dilatory recalls will ultimately fail. But they don't seem to care. It's really a shame -- and a sham," Oshiro said.


He added that the Republican tactics may force House Speaker Calvin Say to schedule a non-stop 12-hour session, beginning at noon today, in the hope of approving as many bills as possible before the midnight deadline.



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