Brian Schatz on Technology

Address transportation and coastal infrastructure priorities

SCHATZ: My top two goals are to identify and then address Hawaii's transportation, housing, communications, and coastal infrastructure priorities. I believe that Hawaii will require additional funding and resources to address the current and future needs of our growing population, and as a member of the Appropriations and Commerce Committees, here are some of my infrastructure priorities that will help address these issues:

• Roads: Fund the Safe Street Act and the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program, which will provide more resources to better plan for transit oriented development and for roads that are safer for senior citizens, bikers, and pedestrians.
• Harbors: Support legislation that will streamline the process for small harbor projects and provide dedicated funding for Hawaii.

  Communications: Support legislation that will improve the quality of rural broadband service.

Complete improvements at Honolulu Airport and Nimitz Highway

The Lieutenant Governor worked with the Department of Transportation to ensure the completion of infrastructure improvements. The projects at the Honolulu Airport include:
1. The 'Ewa Pedestrian Breezeway Restoration and themes;
2. International Arrivals Gates 24 & 25 repair work;
3. International Arrivals Canopies replacement; and
4. Planter and curb repair.

High technology tax incentive creates 800 jobs per year

Voted YES on authorizing states to collect Internet sales taxes.

Opponent's Argument for voting No (Cnet.com): Online retailers are objecting to S.743, saying it's unreasonable to expect small businesses to comply with the detailed--and sometimes conflicting--regulations of nearly 10,000 government tax collectors. S.743 caps years of lobbying by the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represent big box stores. President Obama also supports the bill.

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: Sen. COLLINS. This bill rectifies a fundamental unfairness in our current system. Right now, Main Street businesses have to collect sales taxes on every transaction, but outbecause -of-state Internet sellers don't have to charge this tax, they enjoy a price advantage over the mom-and-pop businesses. This bill would allow States to collect sales taxes on Internet sales, thereby leveling the playing field with Main Street businesses. This bill does not authorize any new or higher tax, nor does it impose an Internet tax. It simply helps ensure that taxes already owed are paid.

Opponent's Argument for voting No: Sen. WYDEN: This bill takes a function that is now vested in government--State tax collection--and outsources that function to small online retailers. The proponents say it is not going to be hard for small businesses to handle this--via a lot of new computer software and the like. It is, in fact, not so simple. There are more than 5,000 taxing jurisdictions in our country. Some of them give very different treatment for products and services that are almost identical.

Strengthen infrastructure, including rail, dams, & Internet.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should:
• create jobs and support businesses while improving the nation's global competitiveness by modernizing and strengthening our national infrastructure;
• invest resources in transportation corridors that promote commerce and reduce congestion;
• update and enhance the U.S. network of rail, dams, and ports;
• develop innovative financing mechanisms for infrastructure to leverage federal funds with private sector partners;
• invest in critical infrastructure to reduce energy waste and bolster investment in clean energy jobs and industries;
• invest in clean energy technologies that help free the United States from its dependence on oil;
• eliminate wasteful tax subsidies that promote pollution and fail to reduce our reliance on foreign oil;
• spur innovation by facilitating the development of new cutting-edge broadband internet technology and improving internet access for all Americans;
• modernize, renovate, and repair elementary and secondary school buildings in order to support improved educational outcomes;
• invest in the nation's crumbling water infrastructure to protect public health and reduce pollution;
• upgrade and repair the nation's system of flood protection infrastructure to protect public safety; and
• invest in U.S. infrastructure to address vulnerabilities to natural disasters and the impacts of extreme weather.