Legal it might be, but gut-replace excludes public

It’s disappointing, but not entirely surprising, that Circuit Judge Gary Chang dismissed a legal challenge to the “gut-and-replace” lawmaking maneuver so commonly used by state legislators. Replacing the “guts” of one bill that has advanced with text from an unrelated measure that’s lagged behind is sometimes necessary, House Speaker Scott Saiki said: It resolves some deadline problems on emergency issues.

But the good-government groups rightly argued that it’s far too routine, and shuts off public debate. The ruling says it’s legal, not that it’s right.

Showing up is key form of TMT communications

State Attorney General Clare Connors told legislators last week that her office, along with state and county law enforcement officials, are committed to ensuring safe passage of Thirty Meter Telescope construction crews while at the same time, upholding the constitutional rights of those opposing the project on Mauna Kea. That commitment will surely require good communications among all involved, including TMT International Observatory LLC (TIO) officials, of course.

TIO was absent from the packed TMT briefing at the state Capitol, opting instead to submit a written update. That move raised a few lawmakers’ eyebrows. Next time, TIO, send a representative.