Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 107 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge county councils to provide tax relief to benefit those who are most negatively affected by rising tax assessments, including those with incomes under fifty-thousand dollars per year.

A concerned individual offered comments in support of this measure.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii residents already face a number of financial hardships and rising tax assessments only serve to further frustrate and make difficult the lives of the elderly and those with fixed or low incomes. Since it is the responsibility of a democratic government to ensure the safety and well-being it its citizens, it is incumbent upon the county councils to act responsibly and fairly towards those who are less fortunate. As a Nation of free people and democratic ideas, your Committee recognizes the need to provide tax relief to our people, for as the proverb reminds us, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger later ended up inside.

Nearly twenty-five years ago, a leader of our Nation observed that "Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment, human misery, and personal indignity. Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity." Your Committee wishes to help, and not penalize, the people of Hawaii, and as such, believes that the city councils must be strongly urged to provide relief.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 107 and recommend its adoption.