State Sen. Jonathan Chun of Kaua’i is among six co-sponsors of a proposed bill that would place responsibilities for state highways in county government’s hands. The bill was introduced by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D-15th). “This is a change that
State Sen. Jonathan Chun of Kaua’i is among six co-sponsors of a proposed bill that would place responsibilities for state highways in county government’s hands.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D-15th).
“This is a change that is long overdue,” Kim said.
The Oahu senator cited public confusion as a major reason for putting responsibility for roads in the hands of local governments.
“It’s time we acted to place our highways and roads system under a single entity, in this case, the county governments,” Kim said.
Kaua`i County Councilman Gary Hooser agreed with Kim but is doubtful her bill will become law.
“It’s a good idea so long as the necessary (financial) resources are transferred along with the responsibility,” Hooser said. “But I doubt the state would be willing to transfer sufficient resources to enable us to do the job properly.”
Hooser said it makes practical sense for the counties to take responsibility for their own roads.
“All things being equal, being smaller, county government is more responsive. And the roads are right here,” he said.
“We need to get more attention to the concerns of the counties,” Chun said. “This can be done, especially on the neighbor islands where there are no interstates and everything (like baseyards) is in one location.”
Chun (D-7th District) said the transitioning of parks from state to county control is also mentioned in the same reports that precipitated Kim’s highway bill.
Chun said Hawaii’s position vis a vis county roads is unique.
On the U.S. mainland, “state roads literally cut across county lines. That doesn’t happen here, and so it makes more sense here” for counties to maintain their own roads, he said.
Kim pointed out that the idea of moving highways under the county government umbrella was popular with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
“The strong bi-partisan support for this measure demonstrates the Senate’s recognition that the consolidation of government functions and resulting reduction of overlapping responsibilities will be necessary to meet the challenges of a changing Hawai’i. I hope this will lead to the adoption of similar proposals to improve government efficiency,” Kim said.
The proposed legislation calls for a task force consisting of state and county transportation directors, a senator, a representative and a gubernatorial appointee. The task force would oversee the transfer of highway responsibilities and funding to the counties.
The group would convene immediately after the passage of Kim’s proposed bill and would be tasked to have recommendations in place for proposed implementation by the 2002 legislative session next January.
The proposed bill also includes “a warm body policy,” which stipulates that no current state highway workers would lose their jobs.
Those employees whose positions are abolished would be transferred to jobs for which they are eligible.
Senate Bill 273 passed its first reading Jan. 19 and has been referred to committees for further discussion.
Chun predicted a rigorous process.
“This bill will not die an unnoticed death. I believe this bill will have, at a minimum, a good, sound hearing in the Senate,” Chun said.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
