To pass a bill into law at the State level, requires the support of 13 Senators and 26 Representatives – assuming the Governor is supportive.

The votes of 51 U.S. Senators, 218 Representatives, and support by a President who is verifiably bat shit crazy – is required in Washington D.C..

Yet, laws can be passed and programs funded at the County level with the support of only 5 or 6 Councilmembers, whether the Mayor likes it or not. (5 votes are needed to override a veto in Kaua’i County, all other Counties require 6 votes)

This is where we must put our focus and energy.

County Councils meet year-round, AND are governed by the Sunshine Law requiring all policy discussions be made in public.

The State Legislature’s in session only 4 months per year, with decision-making occurring mostly behind closed doors.

County residents may collect signatures, place a “citizen initiative” on the ballot, and create new laws or charter amendments.

No such power exists at the State level.

It’s at the County Council where true change can happen – TODAY.

Students of government will say, “That’s all well and good, but the County’s power is limited and may not encroach into Federal or State jurisdictions”.

Yes, but not really, is what those with the “lived experience” of actually working in the public policy arena will tell you.

The County powers are broad, and there are always “work arounds”.

Through a variety of mechanisms, a County can regulate or tax, just about any entity that seeks to do business within the County.

The power to regulate the use of County roads or water systems, is significant.

The County regulates “land use” and determines/regulates what activities can be conducted.

AI data centers, chemical companies, and other noxious high impact industries, all require the use of County roads and water, AND all require the use of lands regulated by the County.

County property tax incentives or disincentives can influence the actions and activities of all landowners or renters.

No hotels, large landowners, wealthy vacation home-owners, beachfront, or fake-farm estate owners – are leaving the islands because property taxes are too high.

Taxes on these properties can be increased to support energy and food independence.

Different “uses” may be charged different property tax rates.

Owner occupied residential properties pay the lowest tax rates in most Counties. Locally owned small businesses could be taxed similarly.

Taxes on absentee, corporate, and foreign owned businesses could be increased.

The County could create “categories” and “rate tiers” for local business based on the certified use of local agricultural products, percentage of living wage jobs, and/or the amount of waste diverted from the land fill.

Several Counties have already banned the sale of “single use plastics and styrofoam” in the fast food business. Imagine if these “bans” were expanded to include other non-compostable junk now going into our landfills.

Imagine those 5 or 6 Councilmembers increasing property taxes on businesses with the greatest impacts on our public trust resources – and then using those funds for mitigation and enhancement.

The Hawaiʻi County Council is at this moment, considering a proposed ordinance to ban or severely restrict “AI data centers” that consume extraordinary amounts of electrical energy and water.

The Maui Council is leading the way in regulating vacation rentals, thus significantly increasing the availability of rental housing for local residents. They’re also at the forefront of ensuring the protection of Maui’s streams, rivers, and drinking water.

The Kauaʻi Council has created generous tax incentives in support of true affordable housing for local residents, and now in the process of protecting local multigenerational families from being taxed out of their homes.

Honolulu County voters will soon be voting on a proposal to implement “Ranked Choice Voting” for their Mayor and Council.

Imagine if every County did this.

Imagine if every County implemented a robust “vacant homes” tax and used those funds to support “youth services”, additional affordable housing, or other worthy programs.

The passage of new forward thinking public policy initiatives is limited only by the creativity of 5 or 6 Councilmembers, and the community that supports them.

On November 3, vote for Council members willing to think big, who will listen to their community, and implement the forward thinking change we need so desperately.

Please email gary@garyhooser.blog YOUR top-of-mind forward thinking public policy initiatives. Together, we can select and refine the boldest and the best, AND then ask our new Council to take action.