Tax break beats minimum pay boost

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s plan to raise the minimum wageby $1.50 to $8.75 an hour would penalize employers, employees and the public.

Raising the minimum wage creates a larger state and federal tax liability for the employees, since Hawaii taxes wage earners beginning at the first $1.With the raise, the real winner is the state and federal governments.They willmake more in taxes at the expense of the employee,employers and ultimately, customers, when the businesses pass along their costs.This will raise the cost of living forall in Hawaii.

It would be a greater immediate benefit to the employee and customers of the business for the state to give a tax break to low earners byincreasing the amount whenit starts to tax individuals.Of course, then the state would not get more revenuefrom the increased wages being taxed.

Bernadine Barry
Ewa Beach

Ohana values threatened by pot

I read in the paper that drug advocate forces are preparing legislation that, if passed, could eventually lead to legalization of marijuana in Hawaii. These are powerful lobbying organizations.

Anyone including youth, parents, future parents and kupuna who support the ohana values so important to Hawaii will have to rely on the vision of legislators who understand that even small unnoticed steps toward legalization can lead our state deeper into the drug problems we are fighting today.

While our youth are being taught to "just say no" to drugs, it’s the adults who care about this special place who need to do the same.

Ross W. Moody
Waialua

Legalized pot would be tax bonanza

Several letters have been submitted urging for the legalization of marijuana — that it is a God-given natural plant, a gift to mankind and medicinally beneficial.

I believe that there is a greater motivation for legalization: to alleviate the financial woes facing the state. If we follow the lead of Colorado and Washington in legalization, we would be able to raise millions, perhaps even billions, of dollars through increased tax revenue and tourism.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Washington state law calls for the imposition of a 25 percent excise tax on licensed growers when they sell to processors, another 25 percent excise tax when processors sell to retailers, and another 25 percent excise tax when customers buy from a store.

Customers will also pay a sales tax, retailers will follow a liquor store model and pay a standard Washington state business tax.

It can be predicted that other states will follow the lead of Washington and Colorado when they realize how much tax revenue can be produced.

Let us not be laggards in this matter. The time for legalization of marijuana is now, but legislative courage is required.

Edwin S. Uyehara
Kailua

Kudos to Caldwell for focusing on DMV

I want to thank Mayor Kirk Caldwell for making the badly needed changes at the Department of Motor Vehicles sites ("City plans additional workers to help handle state ID crush," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 9)!

We are very grateful in Ewa Beach.

Diane Bollet
Ewa Beach

PLDC is wrong way to solve state debt

Hawaii’s citizens understand there are serious budget shortfalls facing our state and we have empowered our elected representatives to solve this problem.Many of us, however, firmly disagree that private development of Hawaii’s public lands should be a way to address our debt problem.

Act 55 created the Public Land Development Corp. (PLDC) to enter into public-private agreements to develop public lands.The law and the application of it thus far is problematic for a variety of reasons and must be repealed.

Specifically, the broad powers that the PLDC has granted to itself have:

» Removed it from the otherwise lawful need to provide appropriate transparency to the public for planned changes in the land use.

» Cast aside judicious use of environmental and planning codes.

» Provided no assurances that the PLDC will produce the results supporting the welfare of Hawaii’s people in terms of social, environmental or economic benefit, or obey county zoning rules and regulations.

Simon Russell
Haiku

Recycling location is bad for tourism

I often wonder whose idea it was to put a recycling center at the gateway to Waikiki across from our beautiful convention center.

The city, merchants and residents alike have worked so hard to improve the image of Waikiki and attract tourism dollars. The filth that surround the two bridges leading into Waikiki that every tourist travels over is shameful and a disgrace.

I recently learned what a hassle it is to get a camping permit in this state. Do the people who litter our sidewalks have camping permits? Lucky we live Hawaii? State officials and citizens should have voted to put the stolen shopping cart on the back of the U.S. quarter instead of Kamehameha. Malama the aina? Give me a break.

Lisa Kennedy
Waikiki

Compensation not always about cash

AARP Hawaii values each unpaid caregiver’s servicesat about $155 per week and suggests the Legislature should consider paying them ("Legislature should help caregivers," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 20).

Does AARP mention that these caregivers are already being compensated non-monetarily in exchange for their services?No.

Should the Legislature call for testimony? Yes.

Dennis Egge
Honolulu