Priority bill updates available here!
What do we do?
The state Political Action Committee (PAC) is responsible for the HGEA legislative program. Legislative measures supporting the wants and needs of the union membership are solicited from the general membership at every opportunity throughout the year, ranging from the deliberations of the General Assembly, to the distribution of input forms to the members. These proposed measures are then screened by the state PAC and sent to the Board with recommendations for approval. The executive director and staff are responsible for lobbying at legislatures and with the governor & county mayors to enact the union’s legislative package.
2023 Legislative Priorities
Your State Committee on Political Action, chaired by Unit 9 Director Justin Lam, knows that more must be done to recruit and retain government employees. After careful review and deliberation, they recommended the following, which was approved by the Board of Directors as the organization’s 2023 Legislative Priorities:
Recruit and retain a strong government workforce
Address pay equity, attract the next generation of employees, and develop benefits for a 21st century workforce
Ensure funding of vital services for our community
Actively seek ways to generate additional state & county revenues to preserve government programs
Protect the right to organize, maintain civil service, and advance collective bargaining
Ensure civil service protections under Chapter 76, HRS and expand collective bargaining rights under Chapter 89, HRS
Oppose privatization
Services provided by government employees should be protected
Protect retirement benefits for current and future retirees
Promises made to employees upon hire should be kept