Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22
January 20, 2000
Legislature Opened January 19th
:Our liberties and pocketbooks will again be at risk since the Legislative Session began on January 19th. The two main issues will be the economy and education.
Economy
The other Republicans and I remain focused on cutting tax rates (income and GET) to stimulate the economy. In every state where tax rates have been cut, tax collections increase as the economic pie grows larger. When economy and tax revenues grow, there will be more money available for education. Hawaii Council on Revenues (economists) testified before the House Finance Committee last week that our past tax reductions are beginning to have a real effect on the economy, and that we need to stay the course – that is not increase tax rates. We were told emphatically that the State cannot renege on these tax cuts - it would be front page of the Wall Street Journal and every business and trade publication. Although the cuts received minimal media attention, canceling them would get major attention. Our prior changes to reduce taxes sent a clear message to business and outside investors - that Hawaii is open for business. We must stick to that message. The money people save on taxes is being recirculated through the economy and benefits all of us.
Education
PTSAs/PTSOs have been frustrated and annoyed by having to file and pay the GET on funds they raise and spend to support the public schools.
I have proposed a solution to exempt PTSA/PTSO income from the GET if all funds go to DOE for the public schools. The tax all goes to the state – under this bill it would all go to DOE, rather than to the Department of Taxation.
School maintenance – we have let our capital assets deteriorate by not appropriating sufficient funds for routine preventative maintenance and repair.
I have proposed a solution – dedicate a special fund for school maintenance and repairs.
Now 1% of CIP (Capital Improvement Project) goes to the art in public places fund. Instead, I propose putting one-half of this amount (1/2 of 1% of CIP) into a school repair special fund for five years. In addition, taxpayers will be allowed to designate a portion of their taxes to be put in the school repair fund and only used to maintain our schools. This checkoff of tax dollars for a specific purpose is similar to the existing checkoff to support public financing of political campaigns. I think taxpayers will like being able to designate their tax dollars be spent to repair the schools. Your taxes will neither increase nor decrease if you decide to dedicate money to the school repair fund.
Other Legislative Issues
:Fireworks - There is still a bill pending in conference committee that I support which would give the Counties the power to regulate fireworks. I strongly support shifting responsibilities from the State to the Counties when a statewide solution is not necessary. So far only eleven people have contacted me about fireworks: 9 in favor of a ban, 1 opposed, and 1 for a ban with exception for festivals. My current opinion is that kids should be able to use sparklers and fountains.
Environment - I am submitting a bill to regulate the wasteful practice of shark finning. We need to use most if not all of any resource we harvest.
Kapolei Library - Good news! The Governor has adopted the approach I advocated to use existing appropriations to start the project. The Governor's proposed Supplemental Budget, as well as my CIP bill, request an additional $2 million in CIP (capital improvement project) funds to supplement the $8.4 million we appropriated in 1998. These funds are necessary to complete phase I. The Governor has also directed the BOE and DAGS to proceed immediately to go out for bids by June 30, 2000, so we do not lose the funding we got in 1998.
Kapolei High School - Kapolei High School will open on schedule this fall for ninth graders (the eighth graders of Kapolei Middle School this year). Students from the Kapolei complex attending Campbell will remain there. We already have money to build phase I (neighborhood buildings for 9th and 10th graders). I have met with the Governor, the Department of Education, and the Department of Accounting and General Services, to ensure we have the means available to get the money in 2001 and 2002 for the 11th and 12th grade neighborhoods.
Civil Service Modernization - Our civil service system was designed in the early 1900's. We need to modernize and create a system that can handle current and future job functions and classifications. A flexible responsive civil service that meets the needs of the public can be achieved without hurting workers.
Prisons - Currently there is a debate as to whether we should send more prisoners and tax dollars to the mainland, or build more prisons here to keep those dollars at home to stimulate Hawaii's economy.
State ID Cards
:Attached is a letter from the Office of the Attorney General about State I.D. cards. Perhaps you have heard rumors about the price going up, etc. These rumors are not true. It is an interesting description of how incorrect information can deluge an agency with customer questions.
Kalaeloa Regional Park Planning Committee
:The first meeting was on December 7th. After the meeting I wrote Mayor Harris and recommended that someone from the Department of Parks and Recreation should attend future meetings. A copy of my letter and his response is attached. We need to let the Mayor know that the Department of Parks and Recreation is barely able to maintain existing parks, much less take on additional parklands.
Waiola Sports Complex/Central Oahu Regional Park
:On January 13th I attended the groundbreaking for this 269-acre park. Phase I should be completed by the end of this year and will add a large number of softball, baseball and soccer fields to our community. I have been involved in planning this park for many years and was gratified to see construction starting.
Village Park/Royal Kunia Pesticide Contamination
:Attached is a letter from the Commission on Water Resource Management explaining that the well contaminated by a pesticide spill (Kunia Camp well Del Monte Superfund Site) is in a different aquifer than the wells used to supply drinking water for Village Park and Royal Kunia. In other words, the contamination from the Superfund site is not what is impacting our drinking water supply. The likely explanation for the presence of pesticides in the water supply is normal agricultural use of chemicals. Also attached is correspondence with the Department of Health where they assert no further testing of the soil, water and air is necessary. The Department of Health does intend to conduct a cancer survey of Village Park to compare the incidence of cancers there with that of the larger population. I am working to have this health survey broadened to cover learning disorders, birth defects, etc., and to include both Village Park and Royal Kunia.
Release of Construction Funds
:Attached are two letters from Governor Cayetano regarding the release of construction funds for drainage improvements to Fort Weaver Road at Renton Road. As you know, I have supported this project for years and am pleased that we are finally getting the problem resolved. The other project is for improvements to Kunia Road and the Kunia Interchange.
Voice of the Majority
:Each Saturday morning at 7 a.m. I host a radio show on KWAI called "Voice of the Majority." Listen to 1080 on the am dial and feel free to call 524-1080 and talk to me on the air.