EDITORIAL
Give counties control over their destinies

Each year, the state and its counties perform the same dance: Counties try to convince the state they're mature enough to take on broader taxing authority. And state lawmakers listen, nod in agreement, but ultimately tighten their grip on tax resources.

Perhaps this year will be different. After all, Gov. Linda Lingle is a staunch supporter of home rule.

It remains to be seen how the governor's endorsement would play in the state Legislature as the Hawai'i State Association of Counties pushes a legislative package of bills that would give them broader taxing powers and a cut of uncontested traffic fines.

It's clear that counties are going to need to tap more than just property owners to meet their needs. For example, if O'ahu must have a rail transit system, Honolulu will need the authority to levy its own transit tax.

That said, there is the potential for self-interest in county politics that requires a stringent system of checks and balances: If a police department benefits directly from traffic fines, arguably there could be motivation to issue a greater number of tickets.

Then again, is it fair that county police are responsible for issuing traffic and parking tickets, but the fines are collected by the state? Not all tickets go through the state court system, after all.

We can't blame the counties for wanting a cut of the uncontested fines to offset the cost of providing law enforcement.

As Honolulu City Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz pointed out at a recent meeting with The Advertiser editorial board, those uncontested fines could have paid for police pay raises.

If we're satisfied that the system of checks and balances in our counties is sufficient to make the system act responsibly, then perhaps it's time to stop making them beg the state for more taxing control.