Posted on: Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Lynn Finnegan opening day speech
Aloha and Mabuhay! Mr. Speaker thank you for recognizing and celebrating the Centennial of the Filipino Sakada, or farmer, and the contributions Filipinos have made in Hawaii. I was fortunate to accompany the Governor on her Hawaii-Philippine mission trip. It was an enriching experience that helped me re-live, reflect, and understand my own family's Philippine origin.
Please allow me this opportunity to introduce two people who have shaped my life. Behind me is my mother Francisca Suan Ledesma. My mother was born on Moloka'i, a daughter of a pineapple field worker that came here from the island of Cebu in the Philippines. No stranger to hard manual labor, for years, my mother worked at a charcoal farm doing whatever it took to keep the business going. It often meant carrying 5, 25, and even 50-pound bags of charcoal while covered in black soot.
And this is my father, Douglas McArthur Quejas Berbano. He was born and raised in a family of very humble means in Aparri, Cagayan. My father applied to the United States Navy every week for a year. Two years after his initial application, the Navy informed him that he would be a United States Navy Sailor. After serving his country, my dad worked 12-hour days in construction, 6 to 7 days a week, also taking side jobs whenever time permitted.
Over the years I've watched my mom and dad struggle to provide a better life for our family. Because of their hard work and perseverance, we progressed from a small apartment in Kuhio Park Terrace, to a rental in Pearl City, to realizing home ownership in a 4-bedroom townhouse in Uluwehi, Waianae.
I know that my parents' way of life and their hard work ethic are familiar and common to many people in Hawaii. I often wonder why the people of Hawaii's threshold for taxes are so high.
In reflecting since my return from the Philippines, I believe I've uncovered a reason. Hawaii's people are generous and sacrificial people. As I have pointed out, my parents are examples of the willingness to sacrifice of themselves to make life better for others. This is an aspect of Hawaii that makes it a wonderful place to live.
If you ask my father today what he would do with Hawaii's tax surplus, he would probably say help the homeless or improve education. Notice that there would be no request for personal benefits or rewards. This is from a man whose body is tired and worn. He should be retired, but instead he works a full time janitorial job in order to make ends meet. I couldn't be prouder.
This is exactly why your Republican caucus is focused on pursuing the tax relief issue this session. Sure — you have heard this mantra before from Republicans, however, it could not have more relevance than it does today. The hardworking citizens of Hawaii have shouldered the crippling load in our high tax; high cost of living State and they definitely deserve a break.
We have prepared legislation to increase the standard deduction, eliminate the general excise tax on food purchases, and create a long-term care tax credit among other tax relief measures to help Hawaii families. We stand ready to review budgetary requests to ensure that they are reasonable, effective and deliver results.
We must be mindful of the "baby boom" generation that will retire in the next few years, leaving a substantial hole in the workforce. This group will depend on young workers and the government to assist them through their golden years. Baby boomers supported the economy through strong and weak times for many years and we must not repay them by robbing their already tight fixed incomes.
We are seeking tax breaks not just for those who are retired or approaching retirement. We must also consider the young workers responsible for carrying us into the future. With the high price of real estate, today's young adults feel there is no hope for homeownership. The message we're sending, regardless of intent, is "That's the price of paradise; take it or leave it." As leaders of this state, we must give them a fighting chance to raise their families here at home. Considering the challenges our youth face, can we honestly say we're doing our job?
Hawaii is not conducive to starter families. Many who wish to marry and raise their children here are faced with the ultimate dilemma; struggle to stay afloat in the islands or leave in search of a more affordable place to live? Let's ease the stress on these families by returning their hard-earned money in the form of tax relief.
College graduates quickly discover the harsh realities of living in Hawaii upon receiving their first paycheck. No matter what the chosen profession, be it teachers, hotel workers, doctors, bus drivers, lawyers, or small business owners — no one is exempt from the financial obligations of a growing government.
Few make enough money to purchase homes. They work day to day and sometimes can not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Growing up we had an expression for that hopeless feeling and it was "kill fight".
With the walls closing in on Hawaii residents due to the skyrocketing property taxes and substantially increased rents, people can barely keep their checking accounts out of the red. But if that weren't bad enough, next year we will realize one of the largest tax increases in our history with a more than 12% increase in the General Excise Tax.
When is enough — enough? When we drive out Hawaii's best and brightest to other lands for better opportunities? When we do not have enough of a workforce to support our growing elderly population? When we have to work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet, leaving our children to fall into wrong hands and dangerous situations? When people have so little they become consumed by their desperation and we lose the war on crime, the war on drugs, the war on domestic violence? Odds are you know people in these situations.
To the Legislatures credit, initiatives were made to address all of these problems. However, we often ignore the foundational fiscal problem of over taxation.
Some say, "what about education?" Your House Republicans support quality schools and a good learning environment for our children. But, we must also be prudent and realistic. There is over half a billion dollars currently appropriated to attack the repair and maintenance of our educational buildings and grounds. Appropriating more money, in and of itself, will not repair buildings any faster until we streamline the process of doing the work. Let's not allow money to sit and do nothing.
Some say, "what about the poor, those who need our help the most?" Hawaii is known for even taxing them! This group really needs immediate tax relief. They also need other measures like innovative programs in addition to raising the standard of need for government assistance. Yesterday, the Department of Human Services held a press conference explaining how they've been handcuffed from spending 35 million dollars for programs aimed at assisting children and families with needs or who are at risk.
There is no better time than now to take action. Hawaii's generous people will continue to give and our government will continue to take. Republicans are ready to investment in people by letting them keep more of their hard-earned money. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, your Republicans, though just 10 of 51 in this House, are passionate, dedicated, and we are ready to work in concert with you for tax relief. Or we are willing to roll up our sleeves for the uphill battle this session on behalf of Hawaii's people.
Mahalo and Maraming Salamat Po.
