Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Caldwell proposes fuel tax hike
By Star-Advertiser staff
POSTED: 01:05 p.m. HST, Mar 01, 2013
LAST UPDATED: 03:38 p.m. HST, Mar 01, 2013
Mayor Kirk Caldwell today proposed a $2.09 billion operating budget for Honolulu in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
About $13 million higher than what was passed by the City Council last summer for the current 2012-2013 budget, it is the first time in the city’s history that a budget proposal has surpassed the $2 billion mark.
The plan does not include any increases in property tax rates.
However, the budget is calling for a 5-cent-per-gallon increase in the city’s fuel tax, up from the current 16.5-cents-per-gallon. The Caldwell administration said the money will generate an additional $15 million that will be used to help pay for road repaving and a restoration of bus routes that were cut last year.
The increase would be the first in the city’s fuel tax since 1989. A proposal to increase the tax by a penny, to 17.5 cents, was rejected by the Council two years ago.
Caldwell is also proposing a $623 million construction budget for the coming year. The largest share of that, about $226 million, will be for solid waste and wastewater facility projects.
More From The Star-Advertiser
5-cent gas tax hike adds to heavy burden
Record budget
Council kills Caldwell's 5-cent fuel tax increase by 6-3 vote
Mayor pushes gas tax hike, pegs average cost at $21.45 a year
Mayor tells Council to shrink spending or raise taxes, fares
Council rejects fuel tax hike, 6-3
5-cent gas tax hike adds to heavy burden
Record budget
Council kills Caldwell's 5-cent fuel tax increase by 6-3 vote
Mayor pushes gas tax hike, pegs average cost at $21.45 a year
Mayor tells Council to shrink spending or raise taxes, fares
Council rejects fuel tax hike, 6-3
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anotherlocal wrote:
I can see the connection with fuel taxes and road repairs, but shouldn't bus support come from a tax on bus fares. Why should drivers support riding buses. Just doesn't make any sense!
on March 1,2013 | 12:23PM
allie wrote:
agree
on March 1,2013 | 01:27PM
OldDiver wrote:
A tax on bus fares amounts to raising bus fares.
on March 1,2013 | 01:52PM
matsuyama wrote:
I think Caldwell is stealing from us. The higher the prices gas prices go, the more moneyt he city gets from taxes. The more people use the roads and buy gas, the more money the city gets. There should be more than enough money to pay for all road repairs. There should be no need to raise the tax. Caldwell and previous Mayors mismanaged and wasted money that was already supposed to pay for our road. This mayor is ripping us off.
on March 1,2013 | 04:59PM
BluesBreaker wrote:
I'm not sure I've every heard of a tax on bus fares or how that would be done. But it would definitely be a good idea to reduce the number of discounted fares that certain groups enjoy, such as seniors. With regard to the question of why drivers should support bus service, there is a direct correlation between traffic congestion and the number of people who take the bus instead of driving. The better and more convenient the bus service, the more people will take the bus which will reduce traffic congestion for those who drive. Of course, a lot of bus riders just take the bus to work or school as commuters. At other times they are drivers, so by paying a higher gas tax that improves both roads and bus service, they are helping themselves.
on March 1,2013 | 02:40PM
Kalaheo1 wrote:
BluesBreaker wrote: "by paying a higher gas tax that improves both roads and bus service, they are helping themselves."
The jury is still out on whether the City will try to improve our roads. We've heard this promise from our last three mayors and Mayor Caldwell's promise is almost identical to Mufi's. And we all know how that debacle worked out for City and County streets.
The jury is still out on whether the City is even competent to improve our roads. Mr Caldwell's recent photo-op where he had himself photographed sloshing cold asphalt into a unprepared, water-filled pothole and slapping it with a shovel, and then claiming he "fixed" a pot hole is a grim reminder of what he considers "fixed."
The jury is also still out on whether the City's newest gasoline tax is any less likely to get raided than gas tax has in the past. Are we to believe that this newest tax will go into a special, "special fund?"
Finally, the "RT" in HART is supposed to "rapid transit." Why isn't HART and their hundreds of millions supporting the bus? If any fund ought to be raided for bus operations, it's that one.
The jury is still out on whether the City will try to improve our roads. We've heard this promise from our last three mayors and Mayor Caldwell's promise is almost identical to Mufi's. And we all know how that debacle worked out for City and County streets.
The jury is still out on whether the City is even competent to improve our roads. Mr Caldwell's recent photo-op where he had himself photographed sloshing cold asphalt into a unprepared, water-filled pothole and slapping it with a shovel, and then claiming he "fixed" a pot hole is a grim reminder of what he considers "fixed."
The jury is also still out on whether the City's newest gasoline tax is any less likely to get raided than gas tax has in the past. Are we to believe that this newest tax will go into a special, "special fund?"
Finally, the "RT" in HART is supposed to "rapid transit." Why isn't HART and their hundreds of millions supporting the bus? If any fund ought to be raided for bus operations, it's that one.
on March 1,2013 | 02:59PM
Anonymous wrote:
This is what you get for voting for Caldwell! Paradise is not cheap, someone has to pay for the maintenance, since the City administration has failed to keep up with road maintenance, the Mayor is putting the burden on the drivers of Honolulu, while he continues to push his expensive transit rail project down your throats, all in the name of 'progress and duty to the future!'
on March 1,2013 | 03:22PM
serfboy wrote:
The proposed gas tax increase spreads to all who operate a vehicle on Oahu. I'm glad he isn't putting the tax burden only on homeowners.
on March 1,2013 | 06:56PM
poidragon wrote:
Lets see: the current city tax of 16.5-cents-per-gallon on feul, then add in the added 5 cents to that tax = 21.5 cents tax on feul, the Ctiy's 1/2% excise tax (on top of the 4.166% excise tax by the state) Abercrombies willingness to add another tax on sugary drinks, the state legislatures willingness to spend money buying land from Turtle Bay, boy it seems that life is getting really expensive to live in our quaint little state, with 99% of all goods and foodstuff's imported, the tax rates going up, up, up and our wages staying the same and oh don't forget about the job's market, we don't have any, do we? Oh my.............life is getting really, really, really expensive, and our City and State governments don't care about our personal welfare, do they? Of course not, they have a captive audience from which they can continue to tax till hell freezes over and then some!
on March 1,2013 | 09:48PM
Shawn211 wrote:
They should raise the fare for "bus riders" since they are the main users to support those unfunded routes???
on March 1,2013 | 03:22PM
Maneki_Neko wrote:
We currently subsidize the Bus to the tune of around $175 million a year. That's because the fares don't cover the operating expenses. Now imagine what will happen when the Choo Choo in the Sky comes along.
Bus Crazy Train = huge tax increase to cover operating expenses.
on March 1,2013 | 12:31PM
kiragirl wrote:
But why from motorists and not from everyone, including bus riders? Doesn't make sense unless the mayor knows increasing property taxes is a no-no.
on March 1,2013 | 01:00PM
OldDiver wrote:
It is cars and trucks which use and wear out the roads.
on March 1,2013 | 01:54PM
kiragirl wrote:
I was referring to the bus routes and not road repair!
on March 1,2013 | 04:40PM
inlanikai wrote:
So by that logic the Rail fare should pay in full for its operating costs. But it won't. Fact is money is fungible. You can say a tax is for this or for that but in reality they get collected from various sources and all go into one pot. Then they get spent out of the one pot for whatever the budget calls for. This gas tax just goes into the pot and Caldwell is using the recent public outrage on road conditions as an excuse to raise more taxes, this time from gas. Wake up!
on March 1,2013 | 09:10PM
loquaciousone wrote:
Me me me my turn..... more taxes?
on March 1,2013 | 01:55PM
McCully wrote:
Nothing comes free folks. It was too good to believe that road repaving and restored bus routes was free.
on March 1,2013 | 12:32PM
OldDiver wrote:
No one promised to fix the roads and restore bus routes for free.
on March 1,2013 | 01:58PM
Shawn211 wrote:
Then just discontinued those routes. They did without all this time? So people (bus riders) obviously made adjustments???
on March 1,2013 | 03:25PM
hawnpunch wrote:
16.5-cents-per-gallon is MORE than enough for road repaving! Where is this money being spent?
on March 1,2013 | 12:43PM
busterb wrote:
Chugga chugga chugga CHOO CHOO!!!!!!!!
on March 1,2013 | 01:53PM
OldDiver wrote:
The city is playing catch up after years of neglect. In addition to road repair the city has a comprehensive plan to survey and maintain the repaved roads.
on March 1,2013 | 01:55PM
loquaciousone wrote:
Tell us again how the rail will solve all our problems..OD... No more traffic, no more cancer, no more HIV virus...
on March 1,2013 | 02:06PM
OldDiver wrote:
No one said rail will solve all of our problems.
on March 1,2013 | 02:27PM
pj737 wrote:
True. But it definitely creates a slew of new problems.
on March 1,2013 | 05:25PM
BluesBreaker wrote:
Rail never made those claims. Less traffic congestion n the future with rail than without it? Sure. But there's going to be more traffic unless the population of the island decreases. It's just a matter of how much more congestion you want.
Rail is not a panacea and neither is cutting taxes.
on March 1,2013 | 02:45PM
Maneki_Neko wrote:
Ah, but the difference is manini even according to the City. There in is the problem - $5.3 billion is a huge sum of money to achieve so little. No bang for the buck. The people want traffic relief and the best rail does is say that congestion will be 3% less with rail than without rail. And even the City says traffic congestion will be worse when rail is done than it is now. Plus it doesn't go where it could actually help out like Ewa or Kapolei or Waikiki or UH Manoa. It's a terrible deal for the Hawaii taxpayer.
on March 1,2013 | 03:30PM
Kalaheo1 wrote:
OldDiver wrote: "The city is playing catch up after years of neglect. In addition to road repair the city has a comprehensive plan to survey and maintain the repaved roads."
Neglect by rail obsessed mayors! We are coming off 10 years of Mayor Hannemann, Mayor Caldwell, and Mayor Carlisle. You can't blame Jeremy Harris for THIS mess.
Neglect by rail obsessed mayors! We are coming off 10 years of Mayor Hannemann, Mayor Caldwell, and Mayor Carlisle. You can't blame Jeremy Harris for THIS mess.
on March 1,2013 | 03:03PM
BluesBreaker wrote:
How would you know what's more than enough? Are you a budget analyst? Do you know how much it costs to repair and repave roads? I didn't think so.
on March 1,2013 | 02:42PM
hawnpunch wrote:
How do you know its not? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out! 16.5 cents a gallon not enough to keep roads paved? Go figure...
on March 1,2013 | 03:14PM
jankenpo wrote:
Add 17 cents per gal to the State and 4.8 for ethanol. That's a whole lotta taxes for fuel. No roads were being repaved by the city or the state in recent years so the monies must have been dirverted for rail or special pet projects of the counsel, house and senate. "anotherlocal" is right regarding the bus. The bus money should come out of the rail pot.
on March 1,2013 | 01:05PM
OldDiver wrote:
Your statement is not accurate. Many miles of roads were repaved in the past few years.
on March 1,2013 | 01:56PM
inlanikai wrote:
Not enough because money for the repaving were diverted. Now we are going to pay twice with new taxes.
on March 1,2013 | 09:14PM
LanaUlulani wrote:
The roads on O'ahu are ATROCIOUS! What are they doing with the money in the form of taxes they already have?!!!
Stop stealing more money in the form of taxes and repair the dmn roads!!! It puts wear and tear on local peoples' car thus increasing their bill at the mechanic shop. WE are taxed enough already !!!
on March 1,2013 | 01:09PM
allie wrote:
lana is correct
on March 1,2013 | 01:28PM
BluesBreaker wrote:
The roads are attrocious, and it's because the current city fuel tax doesn't generate enough revenue to pay for repair and maintenance. The tax has been the same for a long time, but the number of roads has increased and the number of cars wearing down the roads has grown significantly.
on March 1,2013 | 02:47PM
Kalaheo1 wrote:
BluesBreaker wrote: "The roads are attrocious, and it's because the current city fuel tax doesn't generate enough revenue to pay for repair and maintenance."
The roads are atrocious because
1) Our rail cheerleader Mayors have been happy to spend money intended for road maintenance on other things
2) Our pro-rail mayors have been happy to accept dismal performance by road crews in return for political support
3) Our rail obsessed Mayors didn't see good, maintained, safe roads and clean parks as a source of campaign contributions and a springboard to higher office.
Wouldn't you have liked to see our parks and roads get 1/2 the attention from our last three mayors that the terrible train plan? You know if the $3,000,000 budget shortfall that hobbled bus service island wide had been ANOTHER change order for Keiwit or Parsons Brinckeroff, the City would have quietly paid it and we never would have heard a thing about it.
The roads are atrocious because
1) Our rail cheerleader Mayors have been happy to spend money intended for road maintenance on other things
2) Our pro-rail mayors have been happy to accept dismal performance by road crews in return for political support
3) Our rail obsessed Mayors didn't see good, maintained, safe roads and clean parks as a source of campaign contributions and a springboard to higher office.
Wouldn't you have liked to see our parks and roads get 1/2 the attention from our last three mayors that the terrible train plan? You know if the $3,000,000 budget shortfall that hobbled bus service island wide had been ANOTHER change order for Keiwit or Parsons Brinckeroff, the City would have quietly paid it and we never would have heard a thing about it.
on March 1,2013 | 03:15PM
Graham wrote:
Thankyou for pointing out the facts..
on March 1,2013 | 03:17PM
BluesBreaker wrote:
Rail has nothing to do with money for the roads. Get your facts straight. Rail funds come from dedicated funding sources, New Starts federal funds and the GET surcharge. Road repairs come from the highway fund which is supported by the City gasoline tax. You should spend some time trying to understand the budget process. As has been repeatedly shown, your views on the train have consistently been the minority. Look at the scoreboard.
on March 1,2013 | 08:03PM
Kalaheo1 wrote:
BluesBreaker wrote: "Rail has nothing to do with money for the roads. Get your facts straight. Rail funds come from dedicated funding sources, New Starts federal funds and the GET surcharge. Road repairs come from the highway fund which is supported by the City gasoline tax. You should spend some time trying to understand the budget process. As has been repeatedly shown, your views on the train have consistently been the minority. Look at the scoreboard."
Gasoline taxes have been repeatedly "redirected" away for road maintenance and used to fund other projects. While bus riders stand tired and dusty on the side of the road, and some forced to buy cars to keep their jobs, the rail sits with hundreds of million of dollars and piles of rust stained steel and change orders pouring in from multinational rail contractors demanding to be paid while sitting idle.
Meanwhile, you are perfectly fine with raiding the highway repair fund to run the bus, while the rail's financial plan intends to raid $200,000,000 million more from the bus's maintenance fund. You guys are, in reality, raiding the highway fund, by way of the bus, to pay rail contractors.
It is no wonder that super PAC dark-money vipers like PRP spent so much to buy this last election. How do you think Mayor PRP is doing so far? Do you enjoy having them run our City?
Gasoline taxes have been repeatedly "redirected" away for road maintenance and used to fund other projects. While bus riders stand tired and dusty on the side of the road, and some forced to buy cars to keep their jobs, the rail sits with hundreds of million of dollars and piles of rust stained steel and change orders pouring in from multinational rail contractors demanding to be paid while sitting idle.
Meanwhile, you are perfectly fine with raiding the highway repair fund to run the bus, while the rail's financial plan intends to raid $200,000,000 million more from the bus's maintenance fund. You guys are, in reality, raiding the highway fund, by way of the bus, to pay rail contractors.
It is no wonder that super PAC dark-money vipers like PRP spent so much to buy this last election. How do you think Mayor PRP is doing so far? Do you enjoy having them run our City?
on March 1,2013 | 08:45PM
hawnpunch wrote:
The roads are atrocious because they haven't been maintained. Taxes and fees for autos being spent elsewhere.
on March 1,2013 | 03:17PM
IAmSane wrote:
We? Don't you live in Florida?
on March 1,2013 | 05:34PM
fairgame947 wrote:
Come on Caldwell - you were trying to make nice in talking about road repairs, etc., now here it is, the hammer!
on March 1,2013 | 01:19PM
loquaciousone wrote:
Dr Jekyl trades in his shovel for Mr. Hyde's axe.....hee heee heee heee.....foolish people. Did you really think I was going to fill ALL the potholes myself....heee heee heee e hee .. hire more people from the Carpenter's Union ... he he he he.
on March 1,2013 | 01:58PM
kiragirl wrote:
He comes out smelling like a rose for restoring bus routes but at whose expense? A true politician! He should ask us motorists what we think of his idea. Enough is enough! City council members better not approve this discriminatory tax plan.
on March 1,2013 | 01:24PM
Kawipoo wrote:
We pay the taxes to fix the roads and then HECO, the Gas Company and the water board will dig up the roads and put down plates. Most budgets are bloated already especially in liberal states. No more taxes!
on March 1,2013 | 01:44PM
loquaciousone wrote:
In the army, for punishment, they used to make you dig a hole and then fill it back up. And if you couldn't get all the dirt back into the same hole you had to dig it up again and again until you managed to fit all that dirt back into the same hole. If you think it's easy, try it.
on March 1,2013 | 02:04PM
Publicbraddah wrote:
If you were wondering how we were going to pay for the rail, sewers, roads, water, public school infrastructure, and fuel tax, here's your answer. We already pay one of the highest rate for gas and they want to increase it. I wonder if they'll try to raid the ERS..........again.
on March 1,2013 | 01:49PM
OldDiver wrote:
You are mixing up city and state finances.
on March 1,2013 | 01:57PM
Kalaheo1 wrote:
OldDiver wrote: You are mixing up city and state finances.
Yet, we have to pay both. People who live here are a finite source of money. Many people have enough trouble providing for their families already without increasing the tax burden.
Yet, we have to pay both. People who live here are a finite source of money. Many people have enough trouble providing for their families already without increasing the tax burden.
on March 1,2013 | 03:17PM
localguy wrote:
OldDiver - Both have an incest relationship, bureaucrats being paid by everyone to look the other way. Same ole, same ole in the Nei.
on March 1,2013 | 07:57PM
hon2255 wrote:
No more taxes, Kirk , we have one of the highest costs of living and highest taxed state, ENOUGH ALREADY ! we are paying for rail system that will not reach most of us, and being taxed forever on that Kirk , the gas prices here are already the highest in the nation , talk about rip off from monopolizing Chevron Oil Co.! You need to find other methods besides tax upon tax increases, think outside of the box Kirk ! Outside of the Box! Like private industry!
on March 1,2013 | 01:50PM
loquaciousone wrote:
Okay the photo-op party is over and now comes the reality check. Like Neil Kirk doesn't like Hawaii. He likes taxes.
on March 1,2013 | 01:54PM
FluidMotion wrote:
I propose a New tax tax. If a member of government proposes a new tax, they should be charged a fee of lets say $3000. Every Democrat in office would help subsidize our road repairs!
on March 1,2013 | 02:01PM
akuman808 wrote:
Hawaii has always had the highest gasoline prices in the mainland. Elected politicians have for decades failed to use those tax revenues for their intended purpose, meaning they will divert the funds to pay for other city expenses.
The mayor needs to first present the total gas tax revenues in the last 10 years, detaiil the road projects and related costs.
Accountability begins with the truth. If past administratios squandered those revenues we paid and should not be taxed again.
on March 1,2013 | 02:03PM
jakyamashiro wrote:
Vehicle registration fees were supposed to support road-related repairs. And why reduce the bus fares for seniors & disabled people when their fares are already so inexpensive to begin with only to raise the gas tax and make the non-bus riders pay for the shortfall? Restoring bus routes should be paid for by the riders of the bus - especially those who ride those routes and want them to be restored. Government mentality at its best.
on March 1,2013 | 02:07PM
localguy wrote:
Bureaucrats raided the road maintenance fund to pay for their special projects, kowtowing to special interest groups, who ever gave them a dollar. Just another day in the Nei.
on March 1,2013 | 07:59PM
loquaciousone wrote:
Kirk got tired of Hanohano hogging all the cameras so he decided to come out with this just before the weekend.
on March 1,2013 | 02:09PM
loquaciousone wrote:
Kirk got tired of Hanohano hogging all the cameras so he decided to come out with this just before the weekend.
on March 1,2013 | 02:09PM
RCHamakua wrote:
I have two comments about the mayor's proposal. No, and hell no! Make due with what you have like the way we are forced to run our households and stop reaching for more every time you cannot do what you promised when you ran for office.
By the way, same memo to Governor!!!!!!
on March 1,2013 | 02:25PM
Nocturnal wrote:
I thought this guy was a smart choice for gov but come on, you already know that gas prices are at an all time high why the hell would you propose something as absurd as this? There are so many law makers who make ridiculous salaries that should be lowered accordingly. I am certain you can easily obtain 15 million by cutting these six figure salaries down to 5 figures.
on March 1,2013 | 02:26PM
AKULEMAN wrote:
Perhaps some money for the Rail Project should be diverted to much more needed infrastructure repairs expenses.
on March 1,2013 | 02:56PM
Kalaheo1 wrote:
BluesBreaker wrote: "by paying a higher gas tax that improves both roads and bus service, they are helping themselves."
The jury is still out on whether the City will try to improve our roads. We've heard this promise from our last three mayors and Mayor Caldwell's promise is almost identical to Mufi's. And we all know how that debacle worked out for City and County streets.
The jury is still out on whether the City is even competent to improve our roads. Mr Caldwell's recent photo-op where he had himself photographed sloshing cold asphalt into a unprepared, water-filled pothole and slapping it with a shovel, and then claiming he "fixed" a pot hole is a grim reminder of what he considers "fixed."
The jury is also still out on whether the City's newest gasoline tax is any less likely to get raided than gas tax has in the past. Are we to believe that this newest tax will go into a special, "special fund?"
Finally, the "RT" in HART is supposed to "rapid transit." Why isn't HART and their hundreds of millions supporting the bus? If any fund ought to be raided for bus operations, it's that one.
The jury is still out on whether the City will try to improve our roads. We've heard this promise from our last three mayors and Mayor Caldwell's promise is almost identical to Mufi's. And we all know how that debacle worked out for City and County streets.
The jury is still out on whether the City is even competent to improve our roads. Mr Caldwell's recent photo-op where he had himself photographed sloshing cold asphalt into a unprepared, water-filled pothole and slapping it with a shovel, and then claiming he "fixed" a pot hole is a grim reminder of what he considers "fixed."
The jury is also still out on whether the City's newest gasoline tax is any less likely to get raided than gas tax has in the past. Are we to believe that this newest tax will go into a special, "special fund?"
Finally, the "RT" in HART is supposed to "rapid transit." Why isn't HART and their hundreds of millions supporting the bus? If any fund ought to be raided for bus operations, it's that one.
on March 1,2013 | 02:59PM
false wrote:
It gives me so much happiness to see all those clean county vehicles crisscrossing the island everyday. Why don't we just pay an extra $3.00 tax per gallon. That way even more homeless people could enjoy looking at clean new county vehicles driving here and there.
on March 1,2013 | 03:02PM
saywhatyouthink wrote:
What happened to doing more with less. None of these politicians tell the truth, really makes no difference who the Mayor is, the unions are still running the show.
on March 1,2013 | 03:13PM
Hawaiianhaole wrote:
What ever happened to the money from the increase in car registration, I thought that was for the roads. Ever since the increase I have not seen an improvement. Maybe it was a way to funnel more funds for rail. I don't care who is in office, Republicans or Democrats at the end of the day there still is only one loser and that is the public.
on March 1,2013 | 03:32PM
iwanaknow wrote:
No matter how much you rant and rave..................taxes will go up...............deal with it.
on March 1,2013 | 04:12PM
Oahuan wrote:
Oh HELL NO!! I DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU TO RAISE OUR GASOLINE TAXES!!!
NEVER AGAIN!!
on March 1,2013 | 04:41PM
Maneki_Neko wrote:
Caldwell: I will do good stuff if you let me tax you until you scream. Thanks, Kirk.
on March 1,2013 | 06:25PM
dufus wrote:
Enough fricken taxes already...!!! tax on this, tax on that, tax,tax,tax....
on March 1,2013 | 07:03PM
Bdpapa wrote:
Pau already! You've bled us enough. No new taxes!
on March 1,2013 | 07:25PM
localguy wrote:
Caldwell just doesn't get it when it come to road work. Twice nothing is still nothing. Until you fix the root of the problem, untrained, unprofessional road workers using below quality road material, nothing will change. We need to bring in Japanese road building experts, Japan has the best roads, to train our workforce in how it is done. How to take pride in your work, how to do it right. Then again, so many of our workers just don't get it, might be better to contract all road work to a quality Japanese company and get it right the first time. Sad to say the Nei is so far behind the civilized world in road work we may never catch up. Kam IV highway by HPD/HFD stations is already filled with new pot holes in just a short time. On and on, work not done to standard, wasted tax payer's money. When will this money pit end?
on March 1,2013 | 07:56PM
vernchs wrote:
I though Obama was in Washington? Tax and spend. Sorry guys, I voted for Ben.
on March 1,2013 | 08:23PM
lynnh wrote:
To bad everyone that wanted to vote for been did not get to due to the "intentional" running out of ballots. I have requested a receipt that shows my vote was counted from the ballot number i kept. They are required to keep that information and provide it to the public. I have been given the run around and no answers. Firmly convinced that is was not counted and the election was rigged.
on March 2,2013 | 12:33AM
blackmurano wrote:
The Premium fuel in Hawaii should reach the $5.00 mark by the end of this year. . or sooner. A CEO Oil Executive said a couple of days ago, gasoline prices could go up as high as $8.00. And now our Democrat new Mayor want to raise it even higher.
The Democrats been in charge of this State, "Hook Line and Sinker" since 1959 when we became the 50th State in the union. Now you know why our citizens is one of the Tax Burden in the nation. Blame the Democrats for the high cost of living in our State. Over the years, there has been an exodus of locals moving to California where you now find more than few Hawaiian communities there. I blame the Democrats for the exodus our locals who can't live in their own State because of the high cost of living here. Democrats are known to Tax Tax and spend spend but people keep on voting this political party into office.
The next time, check your pocketbook after pay day.
on March 1,2013 | 09:21PM
HD36 wrote:
Another form of inflation.
on March 1,2013 | 09:21PM
Uncleart66 wrote:
The best Mayor money can buy.
on March 1,2013 | 09:33PM
scooters wrote:
Tax, Tax and Tax..Ut's all the Democrats think of. Dam, we're in trouble here. And since I don't ride the Bs, why should I be required to Support The Bus with my txes?
on March 1,2013 | 09:48PM
sailfish1 wrote:
Hey! How about taking back the Bus money that was shifted to the Rail budget?
on March 1,2013 | 09:50PM
kauai wrote:
Yeah, that's it, raise more taxes and create more fees while they're at it. Scums. We're already paying near or at the top in price-per-gallon for gas and this yahoo wants to raise the gas tax. Why not divert some money from the choo-choo like the previous mayor did when he took bus funds to funnel into the choo-choo train. I swear, we have bozos running this city.
on March 1,2013 | 10:04PM
rytsuru wrote:
Why don't you increase property taxes on private homes that exceed $750,000? Of course that would put the mayor's own home in that increased tax bracket...Because I find it interesting that the homeless are allowed to camp in front of businesses and commercial properties all along the South King Street corridor and Keeaumoku corridor but you never see any in the pricier neighborhoods in Honolulu...I guess enforcement is different in those places.
on March 1,2013 | 10:04PM
Coldwater wrote:
higher gas tax on ethanol gas now? then raise rail tax, then rise property tax, then start all over again, change taxes to fees, raise fees, not enough create new taxes, new fees. Server fees, User fees, seriously got to look at how the city is spending the money.
on March 1,2013 | 10:12PM
Galajr wrote:
Doesn't Kirk Caldwell have more pot holes to patch.
on March 1,2013 | 10:29PM
lynnh wrote:
Only in this state do they call dumping loose grave into a pothole and patting it down patching it. It is the most half@$$ed way of doing it and it makes the roads even worse.
on March 2,2013 | 12:28AM
lynnh wrote:
We already paid for the roads to be repaired and the money disappeared. I''l be dam ned if I am going to pay for something that these pieces of @#$% should have already done. Anybody been to Kailua in the past month? One month paving a mile long stretch of road and they are not even close to being done. I was just up in Michigan and witnessed a 5 mile road get torn up and repaved in a week. And those workers are working with granite, not this soft volcanic rock like out here. These crews are milking it for all its worth on our dime. On top of that, the road crews up there were about 15 workers strong. There are at least 50 working on the road in Kailua. And, those roads were as smooth as glass when they were finished. They repaved my road last year, which ny the way did not need repaying, and it is now more uneven than it was before. It's like driving over mini speed bumps. I have driven down dirt roads that were 100 time smoother. Enough is enough.
on March 2,2013 | 12:25AM
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