Although I am not directly involved in the ongoing weight/tire debate, I will offer a few suggestions that might have been overlooked at some point.
What makes for great racing i.e. FUN?
EQUALITY between motors, weights, tires, driver abilities, etc…..
Since there is a limited number of racers in the state, compromises must be made in an attempt to make everything equal and INCLUSIVE. I can personally tell you that it is a lot more fun to race with 20 karts in your class than 2 or 3. To be inclusive, a compromise must be made with WEIGHT to achieve EQUALITY. I would much rather be the guy that has to bolt on 40lbs to make weight (to race EQUALLY with MORE people) than the guy that cannot make min. weight no matter what he does. As far as tires are concerned, I have always been a fan of spec. tires. That way, EQUALITY can been achieved at the very least in regard to tires.
Finally, ask yourselves the following question(s):
How proud of yourself would you be if you just beat a guy with a 20lb weight disadvantage that he could do nothing about? Or a guy that has on harder tires? Or a guy that just stuck a motor?