A movement now underway is seeking to change Hawaii’s 60-year status as the nation’s youngest state to second-youngest. A group of 20 state attorneys general — Hawaii’s Attorney General Clare Connors included — is supporting statehood for Washington, D.C. In a statement issued Tuesday, the group urged Congress to pass an Admission Act bill that would establish full congressional voting rights and self-government for a 51st state. Among other matters, statehood would allow some 700,000 residents to elect prosecutors to handle local crimes. Currently, D.C.’s criminal and civil justice system is administered by the federal government.

No sliding scale for fines

Calling for a task force to study a proposal is the way lawmakers often kick the can down the road. But this one really should be rejected out of hand.

State Rep. Chris Lee proposes to study “fair and proportional fines,” penalties that are computed on a sliding scale of income. Contrary constitutional arguments include the Eighth Amendment — “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed” — and there are probably others. The punishment should fit the crime, not the bank account.