The legislation, titled “Related to public financing for candidates for elected office,” is aimed at helping to level the playing field for working class candidates and people of all backgrounds, to create a more fair elections system and help reduce the influence of private money in elections.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers this year passed several bills to boost government transparency and promote better lawmaker behavior. But their critics and some lawmakers themselves say they still have work to do, especially after a bribery scandal erupted at the state Legislature in February.
A Hawaiʻi commission formed after two former lawmakers were arrested in connection with taking bribes is releasing its interim recommendations for improving conduct in government.
The state House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a resolution creating a commission that will recommend how to boost the effectiveness of state ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws. The House acted after two former lawmakers earlier this week pleaded guilty in connection with accepting bribes.