Current Government Action Committee Priorities for 2007
Listed are the legislative actions that the Maui Chamber of Commerce has been involved with at the State and County levels in 2007. Activities are listed in order of action taken, with older actions at the beginning of the list and the most recent actions at the end of the list.
Supported Senate Bill 844 Relating to Sustainability.
This bill seeks to create a comprehensive system of STEM academics and pre-academics that will focus on developing STEM skills in Hawaii’s school children. It increases the quality of STEM teaching in Hawaii’s schools through enhanced professional development opportunities for practicing teachers and attracting highly qualified people with STEM degrees to the teaching profession, establishes endowed chairs in STEM disciplines who bring increased research projects, increases opportunities for high school and college students to gain experience through internships, and increases the number of high school graduates seeking degrees or certificates in STEM disciplines by providing scholarships to accredited institutions of higher education.
Opposed House Bill 702 Relating to the Hawaii Superferry and changes to current law regarding an EIS for harbor improvements.
This bill asks to halt the Hawaii Superferry until an environmental impact study is done and accepted. Bill opposed as it unfairly requires one harbor user, who has acted within the law, to do an EIS after it was determined by federal and state governments and the courts that an EIS was not required; as it limits transportation choices; as it sends an anti-business message; and as Kahului Harbor will receive an EIS with the Harbor Master Plan.
Supported House Bill 1268 Relating to Innovation in Education.
This bill seeks to create a comprehensive system of STEM academics and pre-academics that will focus on developing STEM skills in Hawaii’s school children. It increases the quality of STEM teaching in Hawaii’s schools through enhanced professional development opportunities for practicing teachers and attracting highly qualified people with STEM degrees to the teaching profession, establishes endowed chairs in STEM disciplines who bring increased research projects, increases opportunities for high school and college students to gain experience through internships, and increases the number of high school graduates seeking degrees or certificates in STEM disciplines by providing scholarships to accredited institutions of higher education.
