Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Republicans to elect
convention delegates

Hawaii Republicans start a week of precinct meetings across the state today.

At the meetings, Republicans will elect delegates to the state convention and eventually to the National Republican Convention to be held this summer in Philadelphia, July 29-Aug. 4.

While there have been heated primary campaigns across the mainland, Hawaii's Republicans have had no such battle. Most of the party's leaders, including the national committee leaders, have endorsed Texas Gov. George W. Bush., while Sen. John McCain has a smaller organization.

Delegates to the convention can be elected as pledged to a candidate or noncommitted. The state GOP chairman, Linda Lingle, says she wants to remain uncommitted.

TAX-FREE HOLIDAY

State Rep. Barbara Marumoto is calling for a holiday -- not a day off, but a day without state taxes.

Marumoto (R, Waialae Iki-Kahala) said several states have successfully helped their retail clothing industries by giving consumers a tax holiday from purchases of clothing and footwear priced under $100.

"This would give a quick injection of sales activity that would jump-start our stagnant economy," she said.

She noted that Texas stopped the 6.25 percent state sales tax for three days last year to coincide with back-to-school shopping.

"Their shopping malls looked like Christmastime. New York and Florida have already passed successful tax holidays, and 20 states have similar legislation pending."

In Hawaii, Marumoto said the law would have to be a little different because the state collects an excise tax, on the transfer of money, not just on sales. The tax holiday would require that retailers pass the tax savings on to shoppers.

"Why not try something new?" she said.

PRINCIPALS COULD SCORE

If the school scores, so does the principal.

That's the thinking of state Rep. Brian Schatz, who wants to reward school officials if their school achieves higher test scores.

"If presented with a reward based on improvements in their school, they may be encouraged to continue their efforts," he said.

By pegging merit pay increases on improvement ratios instead of an established degree of achievement, it would encourage principals to work hard in schools with lower test scores.

Schatz (D, Makiki-Manoa) suggested areas that could be measured include raising standardized test scores, attendance rates and grade promotions.

---

Legislature Directory
Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes