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surcharge would be a more regressive tax and it should be restricted by <br /> the State to uses that support lower-income residents of the counties. <br /> Secretary Chang stated that the HCOM proposal, as written, would enable <br /> the counties to have the authority to direct where any additional funding <br /> should go, which would support the objectives of increasing county <br /> revenue and promoting home rule. Alternate Kagawa agreed with <br /> Secretary Chang and further emphasized that supporting HCOM's <br /> proposal would allow the county councils to have a discussion regarding <br /> restriction of funding from any GET surcharge, were it to be enacted by <br /> the legislature. <br /> Mayor Caldwell informed members that Honolulu Corporation Counsel <br /> was drafting the bills to enact the proposed HCOM measures and stated <br /> he was willing to share the drafts with HSAC when they were complete. <br /> Members thanked the Mayor. <br /> This item was deferred. <br /> B. Discussion relating to an HSAC Legislative Priority Policy Statement. <br /> Secretary Chang distributed a proposed HSAC 2014 Legislative Priorities <br /> and explained that the listed priorities were suggestions from the counties. <br /> He stated that he was open to discussing changes to the document as <br /> proposed or including adding the Mayor's GET proposal. Secretary <br /> Chang suggested that HSAC approve the Legislative Priorities document <br /> that included the two proposals in HCOM's Legislative Package. <br /> Secretary Chang explained that by supporting HCOM's proposals, HSAC <br /> would be able to demonstrate to the State that the counties were united on <br /> certain issues <br /> Treasurer Victorino stated that he had concerns that having both an HSAC <br /> Legislative Package and a Priority document may confuse the Legislature. <br /> Vice President Onishi agreed that HSAC should make certain that the <br /> Legislature understands what proposals the counties support. A <br /> representative of Mayor Caldwell, Ms. Miranda-Johnson, stated that the <br /> legislature could get confused if HSAC presents two documents without <br /> clarity as to HSAC's priorities. Kauai Councilmember Yukimura added <br /> that it would be necessary to explain to the legislature which proposals <br /> were approved by the Councils and which were approved by only the <br /> HSAC Executive Committee. <br /> Vice President Onishi suggested that the committee defer the item in <br /> order to give staff time to make sure that it would be possible for HSAC to <br /> have two separate documents supporting its legislative strategy and to <br /> clarify the procedures for approval possibly without consent of the <br /> 4 <br />