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Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />Gunfg of ainni`i <br />Wit Okabe <br />Managing Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />®ffire of flip Attgor <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohoki3lale Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 5, 2018 <br />Representative Richard H.K. Onishi, Chair <br />Committee on Tourism <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 429 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Onishi and Committee Members: <br />Re: HB 2266 Relating to Adjusting and Earmarking Counties' TAT <br />Revenue <br />Hearing Date: 02/06/18 — 8:30 am; Conference Room 429 <br />Please accept this testimony in opposition to HB 2266. <br />The proposal to dictate specific uses of the TAT would seriously undermine <br />home rule. Both State and county officials are pledged to serve our constituents to the <br />best of our abilities, and the counties can best do their parts if they are allowed to <br />exercise reasonable discretion in how to spend the limited resources available to them. <br />One additional specific objection to HB 2266 is that it allows for a re -allotment of <br />TAT funds, by putting in play the percentage allocation to be received by each county. <br />This could serve to pit one county against another and would be unfortunate, to say the <br />least. Up to this point, the counties have been united in their belief that the total <br />allocation to the counties should be changed (Le., increased) but that the percentage of <br />the allocation for each county should not be tampered with. That remains the position of <br />Hawaii County and, as far as I know, the position of the other counties as well. <br />Please do not act favorably on HB 2266. <br />Resp ctfully submitted, <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor, Cot(nty of Hawaii <br />County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />