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S. Luke <br />April 3, 2017 <br />Page 2 <br />However, this source of revenue is under constant pressure,and even this <br />session the Legislature is being asked to increase the counties’ share of TAT so that we <br />can better serve our constituents and visitors. The TAT pie can only be divided into so <br />many pieces, and a surcharge on visitor accommodations, even forthe most noble of <br />purposes, will obviously limit what can be raised and spent elsewhere. <br />Please do not deprive the counties of this needed source of revenue, by dividing <br />the pie even further. <br />If this bill does pass, we would ask that the wording of the question posed to <br />voters more clearly reflect the impact it would have on counties and real property taxes. <br />Saying "Shall the legislature be authorized to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge <br />on residential investment property and visitor accommodations to fund a public <br />education for all of Hawaii's children?" skews the issue unfairly in favor of a “Yes” vote. <br />Language explaining that counties will probably have to raise property taxes overall, to <br />offset some or all of this earmark, would level the playing field. <br />Respectfully, <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />