INDEX - DOMESTIC POLITICS
www.islandbreath.org ID# 0407-27

SUBJECT: ELECTION 2004

SOURCE: LINDA PASCATORE lindapascatore@me.com

POSTED: 14 October 2004 - 6:30pm

The Island Breath 2004 Voting Endorsements

Island Breath 2004 Kauai Election Endorsements

by Linda Pascatore & Juan Wilson; editors of IslandBreath.org - 24 Oct 2004
These are our endorsements for the upcoming election. The selections have been made on a case by case basis, often based on stances on the environment, but have turned out overwhelmingly Democrats. Our amendment choices are angled towards civil liberties. If you share our values you might find our considerations useful.

Federal Offices & Representatives:

President & Vice President:
John Kerry & John Edwards
This one is a no-brainer. A vote for Kerry is a vote against George Bush, who has brought us into an unwinnable quagmire in Iraq, has a horrendous environmental record, has taken away countless civil rights with the Patriot Act and treatment of prisoners, increased the national debt, and generally sold out the country to the rich and special interest corporations.

US Senator Hawaii:
Daniel Inouye
Although we disagree with Inouye on militarization of Hawaii, we need to keep this democrat in the Senate, because a Republican would further Bush’s agenda mentioned above.

US Representative 2nd Congressional District:
Ed Case
Because Case has a good environmental record, and we need Democrats in the House of Representatives. Case’s opponent, Mike Gabbard, has an anti-gay agenda.

 

Hawaii State Representatives:

Hawaii State Senate - 7th Senatorial District Kauai and Niihau:
Gary Hooser
We agree with Hooser’s stance on most issues, especially regarding environmental issues, public access, developing alternative energy, and diversifying the economy on Kauai. We need Democrats in the State Senate, because Linda Lingle is working towards raising the number of Republicans, so they cannot overide her vetoes.

House District 14 - Haena to Kapaa, Waipouli, Wailua House Lots
Mina Morita
Mina is good on environmental and alternative energy issues, and we need the Democrats in the State House.

House District 15 Wailua Homesteads, Hanamaulu, Lihue, Puhi, portion Koloa
Ezra Kanoho
We like Kanoho’s stance on the environment and conservation of land and marine resources, affordable housing, and Hawaiian issues.

House District 16 portion Koloa, Poipu, Omao to Mana, Kokee, Niihau
Bertha Kawakami
We like her strong emphasis on education and diversifying the economy, and her understanding of West side issues.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA):

At Large Trustee
Haunani Apoliona
We like his stance on self-determination and the establishment of a Hawaiian nation.

Hawaii Resident Trustee (to be voted on statewide)
Louis Hao
We like his stance on Hawaiian self-determination and self-sufficiency.


Hawaii Board of Education:

1st Departmental School District Seat
Herbert Watanabe
We based our decision primarily on his experience and expertise.

7th Departmental School District Seat
Maggie Cox
Although both candidates are well qualified, Cox appears to bring more energy to the position. And we like to vote for the woman if all else appears equal.

County of Kauai:

Councilmembers
Although you may vote for seven candidates, we will vote only for our four favorites, so as not to dilute our votes: They are listed in order of preference to us.

Joanne Yukimura
She is working hard and effectively on the council on most of the issues we believe in; including recycling, open space protection, self help housing, tax relief, alternative energy solutions, regulating vacation rentals, encouraging a diversified economy, and much more.

Bruce Pleas
He has tirelessly appeared at council meetings and public hearings to speak out for public access to our beaches and lands and to curb runaway development. His is a rational, informed and intelligent voice which would be a good asset to have on the council.

Rupert Rowe
He is the only candidate who has called for a much needed moratorium on new development, and wants to work for affordable housing here on Kauai.

Jay Fufaro
He is an experienced, practical, and effective council member who wants to maintain the quality of life on Kauai.


Amendments to the State Constitution:

We will vote no on all four ammendments. We do not believe that ammendments to the State Constitution should be proposed lightly. We believe these ammendments are in the realm of the Judicial Branch, not the Legislative Branch. Questions 1, 2, and especially 4 will errode our civil rights which are protected by the constitution.

Amendment #1
Vote NO
"Shall the Constitution of the State of Hawaii be amended to provide that the legislature may define what behavior constitutes a continuing course of conduct in sexual assault crimes?"

Amendment #2
Vote NO
"Shall the Constitution of the State of Hawaii be amended to provide that the public has a right of access to registration information regarding persons convicted of certain offenses against children and persons convicted of certain sexual offenses, and that the legislature shall determine which offenses are subject to this provision, what information constitutes registration information to which the public has a right of access, the manner of public access to the registration information, and a period of time after which and conditions pursuant to which a convicted person may petition for termination of public access?"

Amendment #3
Vote NO
"Shall the Constitution of the State of Hawaii be amended to permit the legislature to provide by law for the inadmissibility of privileged confidential communications between an alleged crime victim and the alleged crime victim’s physician, psychologist, counselor or licensed mental health professional?"


Amendment #4
Vote NO
"Shall Hawaii’s constitutional provision regarding the initiation of criminal charges be amended to permit criminal charges for felonies to be initiated by a legal prosecuting officer through the filing of a signed, written information setting forth the charge in accordance with procedures and conditions to be provided by the state legislature?"

Ammendments to the Charter of the County of Kauai:

Article XXXI
Vote NO
We will vote no on this amendment. See our reasons below the Article:

“Shall the Kaua‘i County Charter be amended by the addition of a new Article
XXXI to read: ARTICLE XXXI. RESIDENT PROPERTY TAXES.
Section 31.01. Resident Property Taxes. It is the policy of the County that resident taxpayers should be equitably protected when there are significantly rising real estate values and government costs. Therefore, for County residents who have owned and occupied their place of residence beginning in or before the fiscal year 1998-1999, then for the next fiscal year after the adoption of this section real property taxes with respect to such residence shall not exceed the amount of such tax assessed for the 1998-1999 fiscal year. For County residents acquiring their place of residence after the fiscal year 1998-1999 their real property taxes with respect to such residence for the next fiscal year after the adoption of this section shall not exceed the amount of tax assessed for the fiscal year the ownership and residence commences. For all such taxpayers in no fiscal year after the year in which the tax was restored to the amount in 1998-1999 or the year of acquisition, whichever is applicable, shall the percentage increase in real property tax with respect to such residence exceed the lesser of the percentage rate applicable at the commencement of such fiscal year for cost of living adjustments in retirement benefits by the Social Security Administration, or two percent (2%). Promptly following its adoption the County shall notify in writing all owners of residential property in its property tax records of the principal terms of this section. The County shall adopt such ordinances, laws, rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out and are consistent with the purpose of the foregoing policy and the terms of this section."


Many people are confused over the proposed amendment to the Kauai County Charter that will be on the ballot November 2nd. The amendment provides tax relief to resident property tax owners as follows:

Homeowners’ base property tax bills would be frozen to what they paid in the 1998-99 year, and allow the tax bills to increase by no more than 2%, or the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment, whichever is lower. For those acquiring homes after 1998-99, the base property tax bill would be the amount they pay in the year they acquire their home, and the same rules on increases would apply.


We will vote no on this amendment, for a several reasons:

1) This is an amendment to the County Charter. Thus, if it doesn’t work well and we want to change it or repeal it, we would have to go through a lengthy amendment process, and wait till the next election to do it.

2) The amendment only addresses resident homeowners. It does not give any tax relief to small businesses, farmers on agricultural land, or owners of long term rental property. In fact, with the resident homeowner’s taxes going down, it is likely that the taxes on these other categories may go up to pay for the loss of tax income from the amendment. The renters of Kauai will likely end up paying with further rent increases. Long term rentals are already too expensive and in short supply on this island. The county of Kauai also counts on property taxes to pay for public services.

3) The amendment gives the same tax relief to the wealthiest homeowners as to the poorest homeowners. In fact, the amount of savings is proportional to the value of the home, so the wealthiest would save the largest dollar amounts in taxes. Some would argue that the rich should pay their full taxes, with the break going to those lower income residents who may otherwise lose their homes.

It would be better to institute tax reform with legislation. The Real Property Tax Task Force has been working on a tax reform proposal which was recently submitted to the Mayor and the County Council. Public hearings will be scheduled on this proposal, which calls for major changes in the tax system. Under the Task Force proposal, there is tax relief for all categories of tax classification, not just resident owners. It will levy higher taxes for buildings than for land, at a three to one ratio. The land assessments will be set at a five year average from the years 1999 to 2003. This plan is more comprehensive.

We believe that another promising type of tax reform is the Circuit Breaker Law. This interim tax relief measure was passed by the council and is currently in effect here on Kauai. This law caps an owner-occupant’s taxes at 3% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income, or the 2001 tax amount, whichever is lower. Thus the taxes are capped at what the owner can afford. Richer residents who can afford to pay more will, but no one will pay more than 3% of their income. We urge the council to make the Circuit Breaker Law permanent. Another interim measure currently in effect limits property tax increases for an owner-occupant to no more than 6% increase per year, regardless of income.

To find your polling place, review your ballot, and read Candidate Profiles, go to http://www.state.hi.us/elections/

Click on "Find your Polling Place-Review your Ballot", then type in either part of your social security number or your district and precinct, then you be shown your polling place. Click on it and then click on "English" ballot to download your ballot as a PDF file that you can print with Adobe Accrobat Read.

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