ConCon price tag could top $9 million
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
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A state Constitutional Convention could cost as little as $2.2 million or almost $10 million, according to a draft report prepared by a task force that's studying the convention's cost.
The cost will depend on the number of delegates, where they meet and for how long, as well as other factors, the report said.
Yesterday at a task force meeting, state Sen. Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), said he felt the lower estimate could be unrealistic and suggested further study on the cost to set up and strike down the convention and the cost of facility rental.
"I'm concerned ... that the figures are considerably underrepresented," Hooser said.
The group plans to make its final decision by Friday.
The task force report summarized these proposals:
"I think what we have here is a draft that covers all the bases," said task force member Attorney General Mark Bennett. "We're assuming here what the costs are, but the Legislature will decide if the ranges are appropriate and it will settle on an amount in the middle and let the convention itself decided how to spend the money."
Voters are asked every 10 years if they want a Constitutional Convention. The last convention was in 1978 and cost slightly more than $2 million. That 60-day convention had 102 delegates.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.
