`Sufficient new tax revenues’
By ddepledge
Gov. Neil Abercrombie today put out the first of what his staff says will be weekly messages, challenging people to get behind his New Day budget.
But while the governor outlines broad goals, he does not offer a detailed plan to close the immediate budget deficit facing the state this fiscal year or in the following two-year budget cycle.
The governor talks about passing a budget with sufficient new tax revenues, but he does not explain what taxes should be raised or created. Instead, he warns against bickering over details.
We must commit ourselves 100 percent to solve our fiscal crisis and focus on economic growth. If we pass a plan with sufficient new tax revenues that commits everyone to do their fair share, we can be thriving in two years, maybe less. If we don’t commit entirely—if we choose instead to nickel and dime ourselves—our recovery will stall or even recede.
And if we do nothing—if we decide to just get by and stand still for yet another year—then not only will nothing change but we risk sinking further into pessimism and civic decline.
We do not have to settle for the status quo. We cannot get bogged down by the petty political story of the day. We can’t be stuck in the weeds, bickering over one detail or another, pointing fingers at each other.
Our time is now. We need everyone to reach out to their family, friends, legislators, and community to make it known that we want a New Day. Have faith in one another; help one another. Together, let’s commit to the New Day plan, pass a budget that will get the job done, reinvest in ourselves, and move forward with purpose and pride. If we all share the burden, we will all share a bright Hawai’i future.
Political Radar
March 27th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
“We must commit ourselves 100 percent to solve our fiscal crisis and focus on economic growth. If we pass a plan with sufficient new tax revenues that commits everyone to do their fair share…If we don’t commit entirely—if we choose instead to nickel and dime ourselves—our recovery will stall or even recede…pass a budget that will get the job done…If we all share the burden, we will all share a bright Hawai’i future.”.
There is only one tax strategy that fits this description and we all know which one he is talking about. The GET is dead, long live the GET!
March 27th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
The “New Day” budget is starting to sound like a “Carte Blanche” plan. Don’t ask any questions, just “commit entirely.” To what? Ooops that’s a question isn’t it.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Talk is cheap, action my dear governor!!
March 28th, 2011 at 4:26 am
A quick response:
If the Governor can present convincing evidence that his proposals HONESTLY do represent a “shared sacrifice,” most people will accept them.
But his highest profile proposals for tax increases and benefit cuts seem to have targeted working people, especially public workers and retirees, the hardest.
If he would take the time to run the numbers and show he is asking for sacrifice from high income people as well, a lot of the resistance would fade.
This state is FULL of rich people, with more moving in every year. So why is it middle-income, working people and public employees that are taking the biggest hit?
March 28th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Shades of Nancy Pelosi – just sign the blank check stupid and then I’ll decide where YOUR taxes go.
March 28th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Spending increases won’t help fix the economy. Cut will. Watch this TV spot because this is what the world is coming to if we don’t stop liberal spending. And I say this as a democrat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTSQozWP-rM
March 28th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Just do it!
Get permission and print money with no Gold behind
the paper value.
The Many Billions, America owes other countries
those countries people should visit here for Free.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
I trusted him during the campaign, and voted for him. So did my family and many senior friends. I no longer trust him, and will never ever vote for him again, for whomever he endorses or supports.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:52 am
Whoa, whoa, whoa, WHAT IS THIS?????? The Grease’s post not first on a Political Radar blog for once?
Hahhaah, all a Grease got to say at this point (I mean, scroll back, scroll back to previous posts to view a Grease’s commentaries on this here Guber’ ‘ministration), like a John McClane says after tossing down a baddie onto Reginald Van Johnson’s police vehicle in Die Hard, “welcome to the party, pal!”
Oh, and because a Grease is NEVER really finished, a question to the gov’nor: Smah’t, yeah, fo’ go raid disastah funds first few days of yo’ administration, yeah? Yeah, March 11, 2011-grade smart, right . . . “Dr.”? RAISE that GET, and let’s see impeachment talk start happenin’!!!!!!!!
March 29th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@kolea, I can’t resist pointing out that most retirees are not working people.
I understand your point, but I think it would be more accurate to characterize Abercrombie’s targets as middle class government workers and retirees.
And I agree that Abercrombie is coming up woefully short on ways to truly ’share the sacrifice.’
March 30th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
zzzzzz,
I am using the phrase “working people” in a broader, sociological sense. Retired working people are still tied, through their experience and family ties with other working people. And current employees see their retirement years are a part of the arc of their lives, so taxing their pension benefits in the future is seen as an attack upon them as “working people.”
An injury to one IS an injury to all. (At least among “working people,” both currently employed and retired!)