The Bribery Case is Bigger than the Courtroom- It’s Time to End Pay-to-Play
A common theme is emerging: what is legal is not necessarily what is right, and regardless of what happens in the courtroom, Hawaiʻi still has a pay-to-play problem.
KHON2 - Alexander Silvert: What does the Attorney General actually have to prove in the bribery case?
Civil Beat - Neal Milner: The State Will Never Win Public’s Trust In The Bribery Case
Star Advertiser - David Shapiro: Luke bribery case could pit what’s legal vs. what’s right, raising the fundamental question of whether conduct can be legal under our campaign finance laws while still creating unacceptable conflicts of interest.
Star Advertiser - Judge Dan Foley: Now is the time to urge lawmakers to eliminate pay-to-play. The former chair of the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct is again calling for action to restrict contractor-related campaign contributions and reduce the influence of private money.
The takeaway is simple: we shouldn't need another criminal conviction to fix a system we already know creates opportunities for pay-to-play.
Please continue urging lawmakers to support a special session to close the contractor loophole.
Find your legislator's email here.
Subject: Support a Special Session on Pay-to-Play Reform
Aloha Representative/Senator,
In light of the recent public corruption cases, I urge you to support calling an emergency special session to address Hawaiʻi's pay-to-play laws and restore public trust in our government.
The people of Hawaiʻi expect meaningful action, not just statements. Please support an emergency special session and work to strengthen ethics, transparency, and campaign finance laws.
Mahalo for your service, and I hope to see you or your office represented tomorrow.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
