FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2001

Contact: Rep. Marcus Oshiro Majority Leader, Tel.: [phone]

HOUSE DEMOCRATS UNVEIL AGENDA FOR WORKING FAMILIES

The Majority Democrats of the State House of Representatives today presented their legislative agenda for 2001, focusing squarely on helping working families through educational support, tax relief for the most needy, raising the minimum wage, and reshaping energy policies toward indigenous, renewable resources.

"Families are the foundation of our society, the core of our success, and the guardians of our future through their children," Rep. Marcus Oshiro, House Majority Leader, told reporters at a news conference.

The two-page agenda, a departure from the "Majority Legislative Package" of prior years, succinctly describes the areas where House Democrats have pledged action. "This agenda proclaims our people as the State's greatest resource. If we work diligently and succeed, our people will be empowered to reach their highest potential," he said.

Much will rest on the financial picture, Oshiro said, adding that sizeable funding issues will have to be balanced against the Council on Revenue's outlook come March. "That will be the major determinant of our chances for realizing most of these goals," he said.

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