[ OUR OPINION ]
Counties again denied
control of financial futuresJUST saying the word "taxes" during an election year makes politicians as jittery as mice in a room full of cats, which is probably why members of the House, all of whom will face voters in November, scurried away from a bill that would let county governments have some control of their own financial fates.
THE ISSUE
State lawmakers put a hold on a bill to allow each county to decide if it will levy a sales tax.
At the same time they are behaving so meekly, Sen. Donna Kim is flexing her muscle as a committee chairwoman to hold back the measure that would allow counties to impose a sales tax. Kim and the rest of the state Legislature seem to have forgotten that they are obliged to let voters hear and discuss the issue. Clamping a lid on the bill this early in the session mutes the public's voice.
Kim explains away her actions by saying the House "didn't want any new taxes," but the bill would not have automatically dictated new taxes. Instead, it would permit county officials and taxpayers to decide for themselves.
Mayor Harris is understandably disappointed. Honolulu has been struggling for solutions to its never-ending traffic jams as population and residential growth cram freeways and roads on Oahu. Harris sought the taxing authority to fund a rail system, which he contends can be constructed without help from the federal government, often a roadblock in mass transit projects. While some may doubt Harris's assertion, lawmakers' inaction has ensured that city drivers will suffer continuing gridlock.
Lawmakers have been unwilling to loosen their grip on counties, which have few options besides property taxes to raise revenue. With purse strings controlled by the state, the counties are struggling to solve their problems while the state continues to lay responsibilities and costs they don't control on their doorsteps. For example, county police departments are required to enforce traffic laws and bear the costs involved. However, fines collected unfairly flow to the state's general fund.
Kim, a former member of the City Council, should have some empathy. That there is no love lost between her and Harris may not have weighed on her decision to put a hold on the bill, but the situation once again underscores the excessive control committee chairmen have over legislation. It is unfair to other elected officials and, more importantly, to Hawaii's citizens.
Legislative committee chairpersons have long wielded this disproportionate power. Senate rules allow chairmen to have measures assigned to their committees where they can arrest their passage simply by not moving on them.
Late last year it appeared that public objections and complaints from other lawmakers would prompt changes, but those in power turned a deaf ear. After conducting hearings and pretending they cared about reform, the senators made some minor adjustments but largely decided -- behind closed doors -- that their rules served them just fine. That they do not serve the public or the needs of democratic government was shunted aside.
The bill would have extended some autonomy to the counties. Honolulu voters could have decided for themselves whether they wanted a tax to raise revenue for a transit system. Heavy hands at the Legislature have denied them that choice.
