State parking made it easy to attend tax rally
On Monday, I was shocked to arrive at my parking garage located at the corner of Vineyard and Punchbowl to find that the two security gates were wide open for public access to the Vineyard garage, a state-operated facility.I pay for secured parking at that location. I was aware of the GET tax rally being staged at the state Capitol, but I feel "free parking" for this event was a one-sided privilege granted to convenience a well-financed political demonstration.
The parking garage is a state parking facility. If it was free for the slated event, I should be credited for my parking fees for that day.
This incident appears to have financially benefited (whatever the cost) those who were "encouraged" to participate in the rally.
Katherine Fletcher
Hawaii Kai
Cutting state services goes against state's caring nature
When we tell our legislators to cut government, we are telling them to cut services paid for with our tax dollars. Is this what we really want? Don't we love Hawaii because of our reputation as a caring state?Now that the representatives have called for cutting program budgets and totally eliminating many services, we hear the cries of those affected. Sexual abuse treatment, rural emergency rooms and hospitals, and family court services are just a few.
I don't use any of these programs, but I have a great deal of aloha for my Hawaii ohana who do. Hawaii's people care for each other, so let's preserve this.
Florence Watanabe
Aiea
Hawaii is tax hell even for parent-teacher groups
Did you know that when you help to raise money through your school's Parent Teacher Association, the state of Hawaii taxes the gross sales of the fund-raiser, even though the profits of these nonprofit groups go to buy equipment or supplies for the school?Hawaii has the awful distinction of being the only one of 50 states taxing such nonprofit support groups. Hawaii a "tax hell?" You bet!
A bill introduced by Sen. Rod Tam to exempt PTAs and Parent Teacher Organizations from excise taxes (SB 3070) is being held in the House Education Committee at this time, but could be resurrected so that schools could receive the approximately $250,000 each year now levied in taxes against hard-working PTAs and PTOs trying to help the schools.
A call to your state representative might get it moving so that schools could keep these desperately needed funds.
Loren Ekroth
Kailua
Souki, House don't have a clue about economy
OK, everybody, sacrifice a chicken and mark your forehead with its blood, then turn around counter-clockwise while hopping on one foot and singing the state song. This would be as effective as the House plan for turning around our economy.Joe Souki and his friends at the state Capitol just don't get it. After eight years of steady government growth and the same number of years of a declining economy, raising taxes is not the answer: cutting government is.
The people of Hawaii are not fooled by the shell game you are playing, Speaker Souki. We understand your program, and we are not happy with it.
Pam Smith
Ewa Beach
NRA should be applauded for excellent programs
Recently, the National Rifle Association has been criticized for its position on firearms. Instead of being criticized, it should be applauded.We here in Hawaii should know that "Three Strikes You're Out" is an NRA program, as are longer and stronger truth-in-sentencing reforms.
The Eddie Eagle Program to teach young children in school what to do when they find a loaded firearm is a pro-active positive program to make our children safer. That, again, is an NRA program.
"Refuse to Be a Victim," a program that teaches self-reliant men and women how to not be easy victims of violent crime at home or on the street, is another.
According to a recent Handgun Control Inc. news release, 65,000 Americans were NOT raped, murdered or assaulted because they had concealed firearms. This more than meets the criteria of "if it saves just one life."
Debbie Okamura
Levin should have heard partial-birth abortion bill
The arrogance of Sen. Andrew Levin has me steaming. His refusal to allow a Senate hearing on HB 2973, HD2, is unconscionable.Whether the partial-birth abortion procedure is or is not presently being performed in Hawaii is not the issue. What is at issue is the taking of viable human life through a gruesome and inhumane procedure that is tantamount to murder.
The senator says this bill "takes an extreme position" but, in reality, it is Levin himself who is taking the extreme position -- against the sanctity of life.
Don Brown
Kapolei
(Via the Internet)
Why didn't media cover 'Tea Party' demonstration?
If the truth be known, my expectations were not very high for reasonable news coverage of the public demonstration against raising taxes that occurred in front of the state Capitol March 27.However, I did anticipate a great deal more from the Star-Bulletin. As "the other voice" or "balancing point of view," you left us empty.
Shame on you.
James Wagoner
Kula, Maui
(Via the Internet)
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