THE 2002 HAWAI'I STATE LEGISLATURE
No to traffic cameras, gambling

By Sam Slom
Senate Minority Leader

Sam Slom

Hawai'i seems to have lost its way: what is our identify? Do we want to be like Las Vegas or Tokyo or Hollywood? Creative and skilled people, young and old, continue to leave because they believe they are penalized for their risk-taking and taxed for their success. Many believe that success in Hawai'i is still determined by who you know rather than what you know. We must end that perception. Our people and our culture define our identity but an over-abundance of government in our lives is threatening to destroy our unique spirit.

Several selected current issues spotlight this:

• Taliban Traffic Scameras — Besides being an affront to due process, the Aloha Spirit, and police officers, these bounty spy cameras are causing great economic loss and potential danger. We in the Minority have listened to the people — and the arrogance of a state department—and don't want to "amend," "fine tune," or "tweak" this abomination—-we want it repealed NOW!"

• Your Minority will not gamble with Hawai'i's future—we'll work hard to invest in economic opportunity. We seek economic diversification, not more social costs caused by high rollers.

• Education excellence must come now— not by dribbles, but by leaps. What good is a computer internet writing if our children still cannot read, write or find Afghanistan on a map? If they don't have a textbook? If they are not safe at school? Real reform comes from attitude shifts, not just money.

• The HA-ALOHA Monopoly Merger — should be opposed by lawmakers and the Attorney General of this state as a further erosion of jobs, consumer choice, and competitive interisland commerce.

• The age-old Jones Act and Passenger Carrier Act make Hawai'i a less attractive and more costly port of call at a time when the cruise industry is exploding; we need our revisions now;

• Health care coverage is declining and premiums climbing in part because of the mandated Prepaid Health Care Act which fosters monopoly and inflexible policies which must be changed so that cafeteria-style choices are available to more of our families;

• Workers' compensation is breaking the backs of businesses with the worst yet to come unless we act to balance claims and legislate reform;

• Budget Bloat — How much is the manipulated budget deficit today? Why is there a deficit when we are overtaxed? We know the supplemental budget is challenging, but, like every single mom, every day family, and every small business, government must learn to prioritize.

• Raid the Hurricane Non-Relief Fund? — We have consistently said NO to a raid on this fund by the Executive and others, and don't want a tempting $213-plus million target; this money MUST be returned to the people who were forced to pay into it .

• Cut the gasoline tax and rebate any judiciary recovery—- The state helps keep Hawai'i's gas rates the highest in the nation by its tax and regulatory policies.

• Tax the Beer Drinkers? Is it a sin to drink a beer or sip wine, or a "luxury" while your government mismanages your taxes? We think not. Hawai'i is already the highest taxed beverage state; don't raise the taxes.

• A New Hillary-type Health Tax? — No, to a $10 (to start) monthly long term ill-conceived tax that is vague and would be government-operated. We need private market incentives;

• Tax Reduction We want those who earn money to keep more of it and support further personal income and General Excise Tax relief. We think it is outrageous to continue to tax food and illness.

In answer to the cry of "lost" government revenues, we must remind government it has NO revenues — all taxes are the result of the sweat of labor and risk capital. ALL national empirical evidence shows tax reduction equals greater consumer spending and investment, which equals greater taxes.

One person can define leadership and can affect change in the most difficult of situations, Todd Beamer, a passenger on UAL Flight #93 on September 11, 2001, over Pittsburgh, was such a person. His final words, heard by his wife on cell phone as he rallied fellow passengers and crew to act against terrorist hijackers, can be paraphrased as our call to action:

"Let's Roll Hawai'i!" It's time to build.