HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0369.001 2022-2024 g
From: Donald Rudny
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 11:26 AM
To: Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Lee Loy, Sue;Villegas, Rebecca; Inaba, Holeka;
Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Galimba, Michelle M.; Kagiwada,
Jennifer, Evans, Cynthia F.W.
C : Roth, Mitch D; Miura, Lisa
Subject: Bill 57 - Support
Aloha Honorable Council Members,
I strongly support the passage of Bill 57 ending the non-dedicated ag assessment program. As I pointed out in my prior
testimony,the program was heavily abused,especially by wealthier land owners whose only reason for owning land in Hawaii
is speculative investment. They used the program to significantly lower their property tax bills, shifting the burden to hard
working local families. Many of the properties are not really operated as legitimate farms or ranches. It's time to close this
loophole.
The creation of the shorter term dedicated use still gives owners the opportunity to use the land as a legitimate farm business
on a shorter term basis. Ending the non-dedicated program will greatly ease the burden on Lisa Miura and the RPT office, so
their efforts can focus on the new short term dedicated program and ensuring that only legitimate operations get property tax
relief.
I urge you to pass Bill 57.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. ;
w.
Don
Don Rudny ,
P.O. Box 106
Pepeekeo, HI 96783-0106
312-209-5870
Comm
of. ® .
1Ref. Date— 6 2023