STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1746

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 89

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 89 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONVENE A BASIC ECONOMIC SECURITY WORKING GROUP,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism convene a basic economic security working group.

 

     More specifically, the working group is requested to:

 

     (1)  Address the potential for significant economic disruption in the State and ensure the economic sustainability of individuals and families in light of future automation, innovation, and disruption; and

 

     (2)  Submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each Regular Session.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; UNITE HERE Local 5; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Government Employees Association; and Hawaii State AFL-CIO.

 

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

 

     Your Committee finds that although the United States is the wealthiest nation in the world, many families, individuals, and businesses in Hawaii have been struggling to keep pace with the increasing cost of living.  Economic inequality has widened the gap between a few top earners and the middle and lower classes, the latter of which consists of people who have seen their overall share of income decline in recent decades.  Your Committee therefore believes that it is appropriate to request the formation of a working group that can properly address the issue of basic economic security.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 89, and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair