Rep. Terrance Tom, House Judiciary chairman, told the four senators that the five House conferees have looked over proposals the Senate passed to them Tuesday, and it appears the House and Senate are on at least the same wave length. He said, however, he felt the Senate's latest proposal had drifted farther from the House than its earlier proposal. The House has proposed only limited spousal benefits to same-sex couples, while the Senate has proposed a wide range that includes taxes, workers compensation and state retirement. Avery Chumbley and Matt Matsunaga were dissatisfied with Tom's tactic of separating the two issues, but didn't make an issue of it at the table where both bills were on the posted agenda. Later, however, they stressed there is no way the Senate side would agree to separate the issues of an amendment and providing a package of rights and benefits for same-sex couples.
Time is critical.
A proposed amendment must be in Gov. Ben Cayetano's hands by tomorrow if one is to pass this session. See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The man handed a teller a note saying he had a weapon and demanding money. He was given an undetermined amount of cash and fled on foot toward Hilo airport. He was described as having a tan complexion, in his mid to late 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 175 pounds and stocky.