TORT REFORM

MALPRACTICE COSTS ARE DRIVING DOCTORS AWAY

One of the most important issues for this legislative session to address is our shortage of doctors here in the Islands.

Doctors are leaving not only because of low reimbursement rates, but because of the stress of being named in a malpractice suit and the high cost of malpractice insurance. A solution to this is medical tort reform.

Medical tort reform would not cost taxpayers money. It would decrease malpractice premiums for providers, including state-run hospitals and the medical school, thus saving money to be used for other services.

Medical tort reform can substantially decrease lawyers' "reward" money, likely leaving more for the injured patient.

In this devastating economic climate, Hawai'i needs a solution that will help physicians and patients, while costing no additional money.

— Janae Rasmussen | Grade 9, UH Laboratory School

ECONOMIC STIMULUS

CUTTING TAXES WILL INCREASE SPENDING

There is no question that with tough economic times ahead, Hawai'i must make a number of hard decisions when it comes to spending and tax policy. These decisions will be made in the state Legislature, so I propose that the state Legislature cut income taxes.

In an atmosphere of increasingly severe budget cuts and sagging tax revenues, it would seem counter-intuitive to cut taxes. However, cutting taxes for people of all income levels would do much to increase consumer spending in Hawai'i.

Any money that is not taken from paychecks every month adds to people's income, essentially giving them more spending money. Extra money can mean anything from a new widescreen TV to simply being able to keep one's home. Either way, it injects money directly into Hawai'i's businesses and industries, which is essential to financial survival in a recession. These increases in income will do far more than any stimulus check.

The state should continue to cut spending, especially given this recent downturn. That said, I believe that tax cuts, while not without fiscal consequences, would help to ease Hawai'i's pain in the difficult months to come.

— Graham Hawes | Grade 12, Homeschool

EDUCATION

SCHOOL CLOSURES COULD AID IN IMPROVEMENTS

The Legislature must implement drastic cost-saving measures to improve public school education in an ever-tightening economy. Many public schools in Hawai'i with small enrollments should seriously be considered for consolidation.

Wailupe Valley Elementary School, with 78 students and expenses equivalent to a school double its size, can be consolidated with another smaller school to more efficiently use buildings and lessen costs, which will mean savings for the Department of Education and more money for other educational priorities.

Although communities resist consolidation, it can enable schools to expand programs, share courses and facilities, and take the best programs and curricula from each to create an even better school. Expenditures for school maintenance and operating costs will be reduced.

More efficient use of the physical plant and greater access to specialized teachers, especially in science, math and technology, will afford students a better foundation for these competitive fields. Moreover, there are possible discounts for materials, supplies and equipment from greater volume for consolidated schools.

With the current economic crisis, any measures that can help, such as school consolidation, will definitely have an impact on the success of future generations and the economy.

— Kanya Gagarin | Grade 11, Sacred Hearts Academy

SUSTAINABILITY

LEGISLATURE SHOULD FOCUS ON CREATING JOBS

With the declining economy and the drastic ups and downs of our financial system, everyone needs to make a conscious effort to cut back. The state Legislature is no exception.

Proposed budget cutbacks are projected at 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent of department funds. If these cuts become a reality, state lawmakers must focus their efforts on the basic needs for the people of Hawai'i in 2009.

As a high school student with dreams of college, one main issue to me is sustainability. In less than two years, I hope to attend college on the Mainland, and after completion, move back to the paradise I call home. But two questions rattle in my mind: "Where will I live?" and "Where will I work?"

Job and home sustainability are major issues, as well as making Hawai'i a more affordable place to live. How can the Legislature help ensure that one day, when I return to Hawai'i, I won't be faced with poor job prospects and the inability to afford my own place?

The Legislature surely has its work cut out for it. But job creation is one area where the Legislature should target its efforts.

— Chloe Yester | Grade 11, Kahuku High School

SCHOOLS AND JOBS

EDUCATION, ECONOMY SHOULD TOP THE LIST

In the midst of a recession, our government should ask itself, "What do we need now?" instead of asking, "What do we want now?"

Many state employees are looking at job and budget cuts, and a proposed furlough. But then again, we see that there are other projects out there that continue; projects such as the city's rail transit. If the economy continues to fail, then we will finally have no traffic at all. People won't need to drive into town anymore because they'll have no jobs.

Besides the economy, I believe that the most important priority for the Legislature should be public education. As a public school student, I believe that we will be living with the consequences this generation has created for us: a situation in which the government points fingers at one another, company executives gain huge profits, and hard-working employees are simply left with nothing.

Government leaders are blind to what's important. For example, instead of upgrading so many flight display signs at the state's airports, that money should go to education or to departments that need to maintain positions for state employees.

The economy and education must be on the top of the list for the next legislative session.

— Fernando Corrales | Grade 12, Farrington High School