Share income taxes 50-50 with counties

My wish for 2013 is that the Legislature will give 50 percent of the state income tax to the counties automatically.

Our tax system was created at a time when few people lived in cities, so the property tax was thought to be enough. However, nowadays most of the essential services that people need are provided by cities — or counties, in the case of Hawaii.

As our cities are perpetually starved for tax revenue, they readily agree to any development that will increase their tax base, and the result is often hasty, unintelligent development.

Neil Frazer
Kailua

Mail-in voting could boost voter turnout

During the state Legislature’s opening session, the topic of mail-in voting should be brought to the table.

Recently, Gov. Neil Abercrombie supported an idea of having mail-in voting, which would resolve low-voter turnout and the shortage of ballots at polling areas.

Fewer people go to the polls (but we still run out of ballots), partially due to early voting returns. Because other states’ results are announced early, people are dissuaded from voting because they feel the election has already been decided.

Like a Warriors football game, nobody likes to come in at the end. But we can fix that.

The flaw: Some people do not have access to a permanent mailing address. We need a solution that will enable my generation — and all posterity — the right to vote, to be heard, and to make a difference.

Lauren Goto
Hawaii Kai

Medical marijuana needs more respect

The state needs to capture the medical marijuana revenue stream for the public’s health, economic enhancement, world-class diversified agriculture, reduced crime, more tax revenues and tourism.

More than a decade ago, the law declared that marijuana is an appropriate and safe medicine for certain debilitating medical conditions. However, the state’s Narcotics Enforcement Division continues to wage war against patients’ rights.

All other controlled substances are immediately, easily and readily available to patients, but not medical marijuana. Debilitated patients need to become horticultural experts and try to grow their own pharmaceutical-quality herbal medicine. After suffering for three to six months, critical-care patients might or might not have any medicine.

The state has an obligation and responsibility to make medicines immediately, easily and readily available to patients, based upon a doctor’s recommendation.

And the government needs the cash.

Myron Berney
Kaimuki

Let retired police carry firearms

In 2004, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act was signed into federal law that permits "qualified retired law enforcement officers" to carry a concealed firearm.

This law requires the individual states to permit retired officers to carry concealed firearms with local training.

The city, in its fervor to prevent any concealed-carry permits authorized by the chief of police, requires $500 to cover training costs and administrative fees.

Obviously this is stopping qualified officers from considering carrying their weapons.

Who knows how many retired officers could assist should a school shooting take place in Hawaii or, as happened in Ewa Beach several years ago, when a young school teacher was stabbed to death in broad daylight at a shopping center with hundreds of people in the area?

There are thousands of retired HPD officers who might be able to save lives, if only the Legislature would require the city to follow federal law at minimal cost.

Earl Arakaki
Ewa Beach

Immigration rules should be simple

Regarding immigration reform, the present system is opaque and medieval, and requires lawyers to negotiate every step at enormous cost.

Take lawyers out of the process by creating a user-friendly Immigration and Naturalization Service with case workers, forms that are simple, procedures that are straightforward, and directions and guidelines that are easy to understand. Don’t let immigration reform become an attorneys’ bonanza.

A single mistake involving marijuana should not disqualify someone for eternity from legal status, especially if they have demonstrated genuine repentance and have become hard working, tax-paying, good neighbors to us all. After all, is it our aim to reward the clever who have evaded the legal system or the repentant who sincerely desire to be law-abiding citizens? In this regard we should pay as much attention to the character, motivation and heart of individuals as we do to the documented events of their lives.

Peter Barmus
Kailua

Control costs, don’t raise taxes

With January approaching and the legislators starting off the New Year, I urge them to be responsible. Control costs. No new taxes. Medical and electrical costs are also a concern. Don’t use valuable farm land for housing, and work toward Hawaii producing more food.

Keep going forward toward the state being fuel-independent. The cost of living in this state must be kept down. If not, then some people, like my wife and I, will have to move to another state or country. We love this state and do not want to move.

I’ve been in upper management all my life and always made a profit without hurting employees, so I know it can be done at the state level if the legislators really think wisely and make solid, correct decisions for the benefit of the people of Hawaii.

Toby Allen
Kaimuki