Reducing our cost of living

I have always felt it is important that voters have a clear idea what the people asking for their vote plan to do if elected. Over the coming weeks I want to share my thoughts on some important issues facing us here on the Big Island and give you a better idea what I plan to do if fortunate enough be elected to serve our community.
This first email is on reducing our cost of living.

As I have gone door-to-door, talking to people from Kona to Ka’u, I have heard over and over that Hawaii Island families are struggling to survive the high cost of living.

Unemployment on our island is still around 8.5%. Over 17% of our wage earners are earning only $22,000 per year for a family of four. Our children are leaving the island to find work. We have been designated a poverty stricken county. Instead of coming up with ways to help our struggling families with the high costs of energy, high income taxes and GET, our elected officials continue to raise taxes, rates, fees and continually waste our money. Our ‘ohana need relief to stay afloat.

We can do this by lowering our excessive energy costs by 50%, by reducing our personal income tax rates by 20%, by eliminating GET on medical care and medication and by rolling back vehicle registration fees by $100 per year per vehicle. Let’s help our farmers by giving a GET exemption on all sales of produce off the farm or ranch.

Click here to read my full position paper on reducing our cost of living.

I can only have the opportunity to do these things with your support and that is why I am humbly asking for your vote for Representative in District 5. And if you can, please consider helping me with a gift of $25 or more to win this election.
If you ever have any questions please feel free to ask.

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Dave Bateman, Candidate for HD5