One of the many bills that was unanimously approved in the House and sent to the Senate this week would allow Legislators to simultaneously hold positions at the University of Hawaii.
If approved, it would apparently make it possible for sitting legislators to apply for positions at UH at the same time voting on the budget and other bills affecting the university.
Of course, we’re wondering who is hoping to push their way into a UH job. But, in general, it’s staring to sound more and more like someone wants UH to be the new Bishop Estate, doesn’t it?
HB1556 was introduced by Rep. Isaac Choy, a Manoa Democrat, who chairs the House Committee on Higher Education.
According to House Standing Committee Report No.37-16:
The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the University of Hawaii from adopting or maintaining a policy that precludes a person from working at the University in a non-executive or non-managerial position solely because that person is a legislator or other official elected to a non-statewide public office within the State. This measure does not apply if the duties and schedule related to public office unreasonably conflict with the University position.
HB1566 passed the House this week, and was sent to the Senate. It has a double referral to the Committee on Higher Education and the Arts, and Judiciary and Labor.
The bill, which would reverse a longstanding policy, was opposed by the University of Hawaii and by the Attorney General.
The AG testified it would create “potential conflicts of interest or potentially inconsistent responsibilities that are implicit in the dual employment apparently intended by the bill.”
For example, a University of Hawaii professor would have inherently inconsistent responsibilities when, as a legislator, she considered the University’s budget, laws governing the University’s authority and power, or the Legislature’s decision to fund the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly collective bargaining agreement. In addition, we question how a full-time University professor could teach courses or otherwise serve in that role if he served as a legislator at the same time.
The doctrine of incompatible offices serves an important purpose that protects elected officials and the public from potential conflicts of interest and ensures that each public job receives the attention it requires for the execution of the assigned duties. For these reasons we ask that the bill be deferred.
According to the university administration testimony:
The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents Policy 9.205 restricts employees of the University of Hawai‘i from political campaigning for themselves and employment as elected officials while also being a University of Hawai‘i employee. The intent of the policy is to reduce any appearance of conflict in interests and the public perception of conflicts of interest. Being a legislator, county council member, etc., are inherently political positions and the University has previously been criticized in its hiring practices – including by legislators who now seek employment consideration via this measure.
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For decades Hawaii legislators have made sure their wives have had good jobs at U.H. And plenty of the legislators, on retirement or losing office by not getting re-elected, have moved on to nice jobs at the University. They are now trying to make it even more convenient and easy to work there themselves.
Auwe. Have they lost their minds? This is totally illegal. Or was, until this stupid bill was dreamed up.
I recall Rep Andria Tupuola crying to the media about her “loss of identity” at the prospect of having to resign as a music instructor at LCC after being elected. Maybe when that didn’t work, she decided to cry to Isaac Choy?
I don’t think anybody has to worry about this coming to fruition. If it did, then you can’t just stop at UH. You would have to allow teachers in the DOE to hold onto their jobs if they become lawmakers. Same with employees in the judiciary. It would all lead to a huge mess in a short period of time.
The most disturbing thing about this story is the mindset of the man entrusted to chair the higher education committee in the state house. Up until now, I’ve not had any strong feelings either way about his legislative performance. This development has changed that. He has definitely got my attention now as someone to keep an eye on now, and for the wrong reasons.
What a terrible bill. The legislature & upper levels of the executive branch have had their own “high three club” at Bachman Hall over the years but this measure would make things far worse.
Wonder what it would be like to have a Higher Education Committee Chairperson who — oh, I don’t know — actually CARED about students and education?
Choy’s relationship with UH reminds me of the man who beats his wife on a Saturday night, then expects her to look good the next morning.
This bill is a result of Donovan Dellacruz being refused a grad assistant position due to his position as a legislator.
Read the bill and the committee reports very carefully. The employment that is really being allowed is only for part time instructors. Full time employment is excluded by the definitions and terms of the bill.