Capitol Watch: Oct. 12

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Watching and reporting about Hawaii politics and government.

4 p.m. Gov Joins Govs in China

A delegation of six state and territorial governors — including Hawaii‘s — are headed to Beijing next week for the second U.S.-China Governors Forum.

The Forum — according to a press release from the National Governors Association — “will focus on economic development and job creation. U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke is expected to host a reception for the governors.”

3:30 p.m. Schatz Holds 2014 Fundraiser

According to a recent filing with the Campaign Spending Commission, Brian Schatz held an Oct. 5 fundraiser at the Pacific Club for his 2014 re-election campaign.

The suggested contribution was $500.

1:10 p.m. Partisan Digs at Lingle, Abercrombie

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has issued its second criticism of Linda Lingle since her U.S. Senate announcement yesterday.

Excerpt:

Republicans in Washington are pushing a dangerous plan to dismantle Medicare in order to protect special interest tax breaks for wealthy Americans and oil companies and Linda Lingle appears to be defending the plan. Yesterday, just hours after announcing her candidacy, Lingle was asked to take a position on the Republican budget proposal, but, according to news reports, she refused to give a “straight yes or no answer.”

Meanwhile, Neil Abercrombie received tough coverage in the conservative Washington Times.

The article’s title says it all: Hawaii is no paradise for Abercrombie: Democrat stumbles after coming out of the gate in Jan.

Finally, Kaaawa blogger Ian Lind has this post critical of the governor’s incoming chief of staff, Bruce Coppa.

12:15 p.m. Crews Scramble to Complete APEC Prep

KITV has this report on the status of road construction projects in advance of the APEC summit.

Excerpt:

There are projects underway from Nimitz Highway to Waikiki that have caused detours all summer long for Oahu’s road weary motorists.

“We know that the public is struggling with the traffic in the short run. We ask them to bear with us in the short run. It will be worth it in the long run,” said Acting Gov. Brian Shatz.

8:50 a.m. APEC Protest Group Gets Permit, Sorta

Carolyn Hadfield of World Can’t Wait Hawaii tells Civil Beat that her group has been granted a permit by the city to protest the APEC summit.

The problem is, she says, it’s not in the area they requested.

The permit allows them to assembly on the Ala Wai Promenade — the shady stretch of sidewalk and greenery that stretches from Kalakaua Avenue to Ala Moana Boulevard. But, the group is restricted to the Ala Moana side of the promenade, not the Kalakaua side that is directly behind the Hawaii Convention Center, where APEC officials will be meeting.

In a likelihood, that area will be part of the U.S. Secret Service’s “secure zone” and thus off limits to most people.

Hadfield said she and her group plan to discuss whether to accept the permit or not, as a 2001 consent decree requires the city to ensure First Amendment rights with reasonable restrictions.

Abercrombie Supports Obama Jobs Bill

The Hawaii governor is one of 16 Democratic governors urging congressional leadership to approve the American Jobs Act.

Their letter, dated yesterday, states:

It is an economic and historic truth that, to create jobs, a modern economy requires modern investments. … Our global competitors are investing in their infrastructure and in the skills and education of their workforce. To create jobs in our communities, we must be willing to do the same.

Governors who signed the letter include Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jerry Brown of California.

Maui GOP Touts Lingle as Dems Counter

Check out the latest in Neighbor Island government-related news:

Hawaii County seeks to limit water taken from spigots

Kauai homeless veterans campaign kicks off Friday

Maui GOP touts Lingle as Democrats counter

More on that Big Isle reapportionment lawsuit

Conversion of Laupahoehoe school to a charter upsets teachers

UPDATE

Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening planned after costly delay

Catch up on previous coverage:

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