I largely agree with Judge Daniel Foley’s recent column (“Now is the time to urge lawmakers to eliminate pay-to-play,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Aug. 13). I would like to see pay-to-play ended, too, and have devoted much time and energy to doing so, including advocating for a stronger public financing system.
I do not agree, however, that the passage of Act 11 (which limits the electioneering activities of corporations and labor unions) was done in bad faith or that it is doomed to failure. This is the first plausible way to limit the effects of the Citizens United decision that opened the floodgates of dark money into the system in 2010. It was crafted to pass muster and while it might ultimately lose, that outcome is not obvious. Its passage was definitely not intended to draw attention away from more direct legislation. At least one bill on pay-to-play made it right to the end of the session before dying in conference committee.
Sen. Karl Rhoads
District 13 (Liliha to Nuuanu)
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