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10 W <br />Testimony presented to all Council -members on 1/23/24 has been like an <br />economics lesson you would give 3rd graders on the subject of 'how our economy <br />works.' It appeared extremely disrespectful that in the Council meeting so much <br />testimony in opposition to this bill (from many sectors : residents, owner <br />operators, attorneys, farmers and realtors) was dismissed and ultimately has been <br />ignored to this point. <br />Here are further concerns about Bill 121: <br />• Listening to discussion afterwards amongst several <br />council members revealed hostility toward STIR operators and a <br />bias in their approach that is extremely concerning and not based <br />in reality. A divisive narrative about the STIR hosting community <br />bearing responsibility for unaffordable housing is not born out by <br />facts but has served to polarize the community and hide the harm <br />that will be caused if Bill 121 passes. <br />• The authors of Bill 121 have commissioned no studies of the <br />impact and yet a majority of the Council stated that they believe <br />that they must proceed 'at speed' to regulate a highly functional <br />part of our island economy? <br />• It is a complete logical fallacy to suggest that this Bill should be <br />driven by a concern for affordable housing. There is no 'affordable <br />housing' if most are jobless and the economy is stripped bare. It <br />should always be of concern to hear small farmers say that this <br />will hurt their chances of survival. More jobs & better jobs are <br />surely a bigger part of the solution to our housing <br />crisis,not destroying an economic driver on our island? <br />• With the presentation of a Bill in the Senate (SB2919) that is <br />heavily endorsed by The American Hotel and Lodging Association <br />a bias is on display if passed. The passage of either SB2919 or <br />this bill 121 would essentially pave the way to hosts being <br />'deplatformed' (a stated goal of the lobbyists) and a monopoly of <br />market share being possible. <br />• This Bill 121 is stepping out ahead of The General Plan and as <br />such this appears wholly inappropriate. Doing so represents gross <br />overreach of County Council. <br />