Rainy Day Rally

A rally in support of a Senate Bill 1679 will be held in the Rotunda of the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 10 – 11 a.m. The measure ensures that monies from the emergency budget and reserve fund, or "the Rainy Day Fund", will be used for its intended purpose of maintaining state education, health and welfare services.

The bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Finance Committee today at 4:30 p.m. in conference room 308.

The Rainy Day Rally is sponsored by AARP (Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons) and PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawaii's Ohana, Children, Underserved, Elderly, and Disabled).

According to a press release from the AARP, using these funds to balance the budget would undermine the state's ability to help the most vulnerable people of Hawaii.

All residents are invited to the event to show support for critical state services, including but not limited to the following programs: Kupuna Care, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Senior Centers, Healthy Start, Keiki Care, Partnerships in Community Living, Chronic Disease Management, Mental Health Services, and Healthcare for the under-insured.

Participants of the rally are asked to bring an umbrella for visual impact.

***UPDATE: House Finance Committee passed SB1679 unamended with 13 voting yes and Rep. Gene Ward and Kymberly Pine voting with reservations.