Van Jones Rallies with Hawaii's Community Organizers for 'Economic Fairness, Justice' - and a State Bank

BY MALIA ZIMMERMAN - Van Jones, President Barack Obama’s former green jobs adviser who heads the “Rebuild the Dream” organization, keynoted a rally and a “mass action event” at the Hawaii State Capitol Tuesday night to promote “economic fairness” and “economic justice.” (see the video here)

Environmental activists groups, a union, and the University of Hawaii organized the five-hour event to promote legislation that would establish a State Partnership Bank, or a “clean” and “green” bank, to fund green energy projects, as well as “highlight other legislation that would make the local economy more just and sustainable.”

Council Member Tulsi Gabbard spoke at the March 20 rally and thanked her 'pops' - Sen. Mike Gabbard - for passing the state bank legislation out of his energy committee that day. She is a Democratic candidate for Congress. (photo by Mel Ah Ching Productions)

Earlier in the day, Jones testified at a hearing in support of House Bill 1033, which "establishes the Clean Economy Bank of the State of Hawaii to, among other things: (1) Enable the State, along with other participating states, territories, and municipalities, to leverage aligned resources and collective influence to build a national clean economy that creates jobs, reduces carbon emissions, and ensures the nation's energy security; (2) Support clean economic development within the State and other participating entities; and (3) Lessen the burden on the State and other participating entities to finance qualified renewable energy and other related purposes." The bill, which would tap into $10 million in federal stimulus funds, has already passed the House, and on Tuesday passed the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.

The above is an excerpt from Hawaii Reporter - read the full article here.