Free Republic

HB 444 - Civil Unions Bill- Dead for The 2009 Legislative Session Revamped proposal didn't gain enough support in Senate caucus today By Hawaii Reporter, 4/8/2009 6:28:12 PM Senate Democrats considered reviving a revised version of HB 444 in their caucus today, but they failed to get the support from Senate president Colleen Hanabusa and other Senate leaders who prefer, at this point, to focus their efforts on the balancing the state budget. Dennis Arakaki, a former state Representative who is a spokeperson for the Hawaii Family Forum against civil unions, says it was "good news" that nothing happened today...

"It will create an uproar in the general public," said Dennis Arakaki, interim executive director of Hawaii Family Forum. "People are upset that this was allowed to happen and to come this far." Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser says he will try to force a vote on the measure if no other senators do so by the end of this year's legislative session in May. and other news from Obamaland ... Groups vow protests if civil-unions bill advances SB: Public needs wider view of Isle stimulus spending (argument for Hawaii Tax increase) Legislators revisit tax hikes to help plug gaps...