HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0751.069 2014-2016 Apr 29, 2016
• Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi CD `'
25 Aupuni Street 0, C)
Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha Council Member Onishi,
i
I write to express my opposition to Bill 165 which would add a County
of Hawaii surcharge of one-half percent on top of the current 4.0
General Excise Tax. 7 '1-71
There are 4 critical reasons this bill must not pass.
1. The sales tax is the most regressive taxes the government has to tax to
it citizens hitting the poorest amongst us the hardest.
2. Given that in this state this tax applies to all goods and services,
•
the result is that when compared to other state sales taxes our excise
tax is larger than any other states' sales tax in the nation. Some put
this number as being equivalent to more than a 13% Sales Tax leveled in
other states. •
3. A 1/2 percent increase in this tax is in reality a whopping 11.25
percent tax increase that will hit the poorest of our citizens the
most. This is a travesty and a war waged against those least able to
defend themselves.
4. Finally, this whopping increase in tax is dedicated for a specific
purpose which cannot be changed. This means if the true need for this
county lies elsewhere we must raise yet another tax to make up the
difference rather than reallocate the amount collected. i.e. we might
end up some real smooth asphalt that rich people can drive on but
nothing left to address the problems facing sewage, water, firehouses
or police or the homeless.
Please vote NO on Bill 165.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts on this important
matter in advance of Tuesday's vote.
Mahalo,
Mr. Frank Goodale
73-4503 Kohanaiki Rd
Kailua Kona, HI 96740-9204
(808) 936-1411
frank@goodale.org
ISI 191
Comm. No. ---
Ref. To:
�; n®te MAY fl --