Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Wednesday, January 29, 2020
HB2728: Diamond Head Attack Becomes Excuse for Tax Hike
By Rep Gene Ward @ 5:03 PM :: 4626 Views :: Law Enforcement, Taxes, Tourism

"BLUE LIVES MATTER SPECIAL FUND" INTRODUCED TO COMBAT CRIME INCREASE, RECRUIT MORE POLICE

News Release from Office of Rep Gene Ward, January 28, 2020

HONOLULU, HI – In the midst of an increase in crime and a statewide police shortage, Hawaii State Representative and House Minority Leader Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley) introduces House Bill 2728, which implements a $5 surcharge for all overseas flights except for interisland travel.

The revenue generated by the surcharge will enter the "Blue Lives Matter special fund," which will be used to recruit and retain police officers in each county.

"We're expected to have 10 million visitors this year and Hawaii is facing a dire police shortage, especially in the City & County of Honolulu" says Ward. "The concept of a visitor surcharge is seen around the world, and both Kama'aina and tourists will benefit from the Blue Lives Matter special fund."

As of Jan. 2, the Honolulu Police Department is short 318 officers, with many more eligible for retirement. "It is a tragedy that our residents no longer feel safe in their neighborhoods, and we owe it to our biggest industry to ensure that visitors can stay in the Aloha State without fear of robbery or assault," says Ward. "We are listening to our constituents who are crying for a solution. We hope this will start a broader conversation how to address their needs."

HB 2729 awaits a joint-hearing on the Committees on Labor, Tourism & International Affairs, and Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs.

###

HB2728: Text, Status

HB2729: Text, Status

SA: Longtime tax critic advocates for a new fee to recruit Hawaii police 

KITV: State lawmaker wants to help HPD recruit and retain officers with surcharge bill

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Military History

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Together

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

July 4 in Hawaii

Land and Power in Hawaii

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii