HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.007 2002-2004
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FAX TRANSMISSION
Date: May 4, 2004
Company: County of Hawaii Attn: Mr Alfred Robello
Fax Phone: 96'-8912
From: Gareth Sakakida Our fax # (808) 833.8486
No. of pages including this sheet ~ 2 Please call us if pages are missing.
MESSAGE: Dear Mr. Robello,
Hawaii Transportation Association would like to submit the attached testimony on
Bill 260 (2002) RELATING TO VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC Tor the hearing before the
Hawaii County Council on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 9:00 a.m.
I will also be providing oral testimony.
Gareth Sakakida, Hawaii Transportation Association
P.O. Box 30166, Honolulu, HI 96820
806-833628
Thank you.
Comm. No.
Ref. To: Presented
Ref. Date
05/04/2004 11:11 8088338486 HTA PAGE 02
T
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Driving Hawaii's Economy
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
ON BILL 260 RELATING TO VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Thank you Chair Arakaki antl committee members. I am Gareth Sakakida Managing
Director of the Hawaii Transportation Association (HTA) with 380 members involved with the
commercial ground transportation industry.
HTA opposes many aspects of this proposal and the tax system Itself,
First, it is unfair that passenger vehicles have a lesser rate than heavier vehicles.
While it is true that commercial vehicles are generally heavier than passenger vehicles, one
pound of pressure on the road is one pound of prossure regardless what type of vehicle
imparts that pressure.
The current rates have commercial vehicles paying twice as much for that same pound
of pressure. Even with a common rate a commercial vehicle will pay more simply because of
its total vehicle weight.
Second, it is unfair that the proposal increases the commercial rate by a full cent per
pound while the passenger vehicle Increase is only 1/4 cent par pound. That one pound of
pressure is not four times greater from a truck or commercial vehicle versus a passenger or
non-commercial vehicle.
Third, we understand that road maintenance equipment (i.e, pavers, rollers) has been
purchased to enable the county to perform maintenance Functions on their own. Private
industry already had this equipment on the island making the purchases a duplication of
expense and rolling stock inventory.
Private industry's participation in the maintenance work is now reduced because of the
expenditure, and Bill 260 makes that private industry pay for the equipment that has taken
away their business.
We contend that the commercial motor vehicles already pay too much in to too many
taxes and fees which are above and beyond those placed on other businesses:
Federal fuel tax State fuel tax County fuel tax
Federal weight tax State weight tax County weight tax
Federal tiro tax State registration County registration
Federal excise tax State inspection fee
Hazmat registration Beautification fee
National Parks fees PUC fee Airport permittee fees
Tour vehicle surcharge Harbor permittee fees
A typical tractor trailer combination will have to pay $300 more, yef revenues have been
depressed for years, making it difficult to make up tax increases. The commercial motor
vehicle industry deserves a fair consideration of their condition. Thank you.
P.O. Box 30166 • Honolulu, HI 96820 • Ph. (608) 833.6628 • Fax (BOS) 833-8486 • E-Mall: info®htahawaii.org