Environmentalists Must Seek Strength In Unity
In interviews with Environment Hawai’i, legislators often described the environmental lobby as ineffective. It’s only natural to respond defensively to this, especially if you happen to have been a member of that lobby. After all, most people who testify on environmental issues are volunteers; environmental organizations can’t hope to have the access that paid lobbyist (with expense accounts) have; and, in any case, legislators should somehow be expected to make allowances for those of us championing “pure” causes and the like.
Understandable as that reaction is, it doesn’t help at all. Much more than that is needed to create a vigorous, credible and influential environmental lobby.
And, now that the 1990 legislative session is over, there’s no better time to begin thinking about what environmental priorities should be for the next legislative session and how the perception of fractiousness and ineffectiveness can be combatted.
In that effort, it may be useful to take a page from the opposition’s book. An article by Bill Woods in the May 1990 issue of Hawaii Investor describes the way in which the Big Island Business Council, one of the most effective lobbying organizations at the Capitol this past session, came to have such clout.
The council comprises ten membership organizations representing about 3,000 Big Island businesses that altogether employ about 40,000 workers. BIBC’s primary purpose is to take positions on political and economical issues affecting its members at the state and county levels. Consensus is a requirement for all positions and initiatives taken by the BIBC, which have included a successful fight against the Hapuna Beach Initiative in 1988 and more recently, aiding in the establishment of the Hawaii Island Geothermal Alliance.
The environmental community has seen several attempts at coalition building. These include the Sandy Beach Initiative Coalition (955-7263, O`ahu) and the recently established Aloha Aina Project (262-0682, O`ahu). The Hawai`i Energy Coalition (988-2673, O`ahu), Environmental Legislative Network on Oahu (262-9394), Northshore Environmental Coalition (637-7656, O`ahu), Greater Kona Community Council (329-5693, Kailua-Kona) and Environmental Network on Maui (572-6371) are also worth mentioning.
But that long list simply underscores the fact that there is little unity among the groups. What would it take to achieve that? Is it, in fact, a goal worth achieving?
We suggest it is. To unite behind two or three meaningful legislative efforts would surely yield more fruit than continuing the helter-skelter approach of past years.
That unity won’t be won easily. But it can certainly be achieved. For openers, the Environmental Legislative Network might sponsor a day-long conference where a range of legislative priorities can be discussed. At that time, a preliminary legislative agenda could be proposed, with representatives of environmental groups then taking it back to their members for discussion, amendment and approval, where possible.
Long before elections were over, environmentalists would have a clear sense of where their united priorities were. That wouldn’t mean that individual groups would be stopped from lobbying on other issues or projects. But it would send a clear signal to legislators and the governor as to what environmentalists themselves saw as the chief issues of the day.
Consensus on an environmental agenda for the Legislature would be great. But almost as important as that is the need to develop a support structure for environmental lobbying. One idea that has been tossed around is to set up a non-partisan, non-profit resource office, with a professional staff, where publications and reports would be kept on file for use by anyone having an interest in them. But would environmental organizations as well as individuals be willing to help support it financially?
Another idea whose time might be at hand is to have a paid, full-time lobbyist – especially if environmentalists can agree on a legislative agenda – and a paid organizer, who can let people know of important hearing dates and alert them when phone calls or letters might he needed.
Effective lobbying takes time and effort, but there are some shortcuts.
Hundreds of environmental bills and resolutions were either not heard this past session or were heard and held in their respective committees. Chances are, many of your high legislative priorities will be found among these orphaned resolutions and wayward bills.
If you can’t find a bill for the purpose you want, then look for a friendly legislator. He or she can ask the Legislative Reference Bureau to draft a bill tailor-made to your needs. (That also makes it more likely that your bill will find a sponsor to introduce it.)
When approaching legislators, explain your point of view as clearly, succinctly and politely as possible. Just as important, cast your net broadly. Most legislators have coterie of colleagues whose opinions count highly. Learn who they are, and don’t hesitate to let them know of your concerns (especially if you happen to live in their district).
A variety of other legislative services are available directly to the public. For bill information services of the Legislative Reference Bureau, call 548-7853 and 548-6237, (O`ahu). Computer access to legislation, committee reports, bill statuses and hearing notices can be obtained through ACCESS: Legislative Information Service. Terminals for use by the public are located at public libraries on O’ahu and neighbor islands. AudioACCESS, which provides bill status service by touch tone phone is also on line. For details on how to use ACCESS or to receive an information packet, call the ACCESS Help Desk at 548-1738 on O`ahu or 1-800-468-4644 on the neighbor islands and ask for the ACCESS Help Desk.
Useful documents include the Guide to Government in Hawaii Ninth Edition, by the Legislative Reference Bureau 1989 and Common Cause Hawaii’s Citizen Action Guide 1990 (533-6996, O’ahu) Hawai’i Green Pages, a directory with over 150 environmental efforts in Hawai’i, is available from the Hawaii Audubon Society (528-1432, O’ahu); the American Friends Service Committee is also revising its directory of peace and justice organizations (988-6266, O’ahu).
Finally, legislators need to be held more accountable for their actions and omissions. Take advantage of the upcoming canvassing and campaigning, and find out where your legislators stand on environmental issues of importance to you. Also, take advantage of every opportunity to let legislators hear your views on the committee system. (Common Cause Hawaii is thinking about having an interim roundtable on this topic. Let them know of your interest.)
The following state offices are up for re-election this year:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
All 51 seats in the House of Representatives
12 of the 25 Senate seats (Districts 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13,16,17,19, 22, 24, 25)
So, abandon the defenses and take the criticisms regarding legislative ineffectiveness to heart. Learn how to play politics at the Capitol – and, just as important, don’t be hasty to judge legislators on the basis of their stand on any one particular bill. Look at the overall picture, talk with them, find out what their viewpoints are – and only then will you begin to be able to arrive at some understanding of who is truly an ally.
In law, ignorance is no excuse. It doesn’t carry any more weight in the Legislature!
Volume 1, Number 1 July 1990