Bill threatens pay-to-play restrictions in Hawaii politics

The Honolulu Advertiser’s David Shapiro blogs about a bill that would “ease restrictions on campaign donations to candidates and political parties by government contractors — opening the door anew to the pay-to-play ethic that has fed charges of bribery and corruption in local government contracting.”

House Bill 2249, which passed second reading on February 8, provides that it is unlawful for persons exempt from competitive solicitation for State or county contracts to make contributions to candidate committees, noncandidate committees, or candidates or to knowingly solicit contributions from any person for any purpose. The bill also permits the establishment or administration of, or solicitation of contributions to, any noncandidate committee.