2017-04-03 Letter to Sylvia Luke re SB 686 SD2 Relating to Education

Home

WilOkabe Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444Fax (808) 323-4440 April 3, 2017 Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair Committee on Finance Hawai'iState Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Luke and Members, RE:SB 686, SD 2 Relating to Education Funding As a former teacher myself, I fully appreciate the efforts of this Legislature to properly fund education. However, I cannot support SB686, SD2, and must speak against it. Effect on Real property tax.The County of Hawaii, as is true of the other counties, has little or no control over its revenue except in one area, real property taxes, and Hawaii County relies overwhelmingly on real property taxes to fund its operations. The burden of that tax can be heavy for many residents, but since it is virtually the only tool we have, we use it the best we can. A surcharge on residential investment properties would obviously limit County options and make it even more difficult to balance our budgets. Therefore, we have to jealously guard this taxing authority, and ask that you not breach this line of authority. Effect onTAT. Given our County’s limited resources, we are fortunate that the Legislature has seen fit to allow the counties to share in the TAT. That has been a great help, and we thank you for it. However, this source of revenue is under constant pressure, and even this session the Legislature will be asked to increase the counties’ share of TAT so that we can better serve our constituents and visitors. The TAT pie can only be divided into so County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.