Each week, the State "discovers" it is more deeply in debt than the last. This past week the State Auditor reported that the budget shortfall is now projected to be close to 400 million dollars by the end of the fiscal year.
This is sure to ring a death knell to any hopes we have in improving our kids' educational facilities and opportunities anytime soon...our roads will deteriorate and won't get fixed and our blossoming graffitti problem will get worse because there won't be any money to combat it, to cover it up...so Hawai`i may begin to lose some of her charm before we can jumpstart our economy in other ways.
The experts say the local economy just hasn't come back...I firmly believe it is now time for quick and determined changes.
I suggest that some form of gambling be allowed and quickly. I suggest that shipboard gambling be approved and now! Gambling, as controversial as it may be, has helped turn the economies of several states and countries around already...why shouldn't we enjoy some of these benefits also? I suggest that if the current special session of the legislature cannot address such an issue ...then the Governor should call another special session and get into it immediately.
Shipboard gambling should be relatively easy to monitor and police. It should keep the unsavory elements from hanging out near the gambling establishments...it'd be kinda hard to hang out in the water eh?
Our tourist industry needs the boost...The new Waikiki Planet Haolewood ain't gonna revitalize our ailing flow of tourism by itself...and nothing else with as much a draw as gambling has been proposed by anyone.
Besides, Hawai`i loves gambling...darn near everyone I know goes to Vegas all the time.
Those of us involved with the new fledgling Internet industry are trying our best, without a shred of state support or aid to help boost the positive aspects of our state. Most of us spend long hours trying to do good things, to show Hawai`i in as positive a manner as possible, to create new opportunities for our businesses and people...I, for one would help promote shipboard gambling. All I need to be able to do that is for the state to make it a reality.
Rabbett;)
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 95 7:02:44 EDT
X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
From: "Richard Silc"
Although I am posted in Washington, DC as a Foreign Service Officer, I am a
Big Island resident (at least one month a year at this point). With all the
budget demands in Hawaii, additional sources of revenue are needed. I fully
support Rabbett's call for ship-based gambling. However, this should be
combined with a real close look at things that should be cut and scaled back.
Education, roads, sewage plants, etc. are very important. Gambling funds
should be invested in Hawaii's future, NOT in bureaucrat's salaries and
political boondoggles.
Keep up the great work on H-4!
Back One