HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0751.124 2014-2016 p/Pc,
Murashige, Laura
From: Eoff, Karen
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2016 11:44 AM o
To: geomike5@att.net
Cc: Council Testimony
Subject: RE: resist the temptation vote NO on the GTE icrease
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Thank you for your testimony. :- 1-1
I will forward it to the Clerk's Office to distribute prior to Tuesday's meeting.
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Karen Eoff
Hawai'i County Council
District 8, North Kona
808-323-4280 work
808-938-3580 cell
From: geomike5@att.net [mailto:geomike5@att.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2016 6:16 AM
To: valeriepoindexter@hawaiicounty.gov; Chung, Aaron; Ilagan, Greggor; Paleka, Daniel; David, Maile;
dru.kanaha@hawaiicounty.gov; Eoff, Karen; dennis.onshi@hawaiicounty.gov
Subject: resist the temptation vote NO on the GTE icrease
The County Council interminably faces another deadline on voting for a critical issue, this time
whether or not to impose an increase in the GET tax. It is challenging for any politician or
administration to turn down any source of revenue, especially one that could generate 8 or more
percent of the yearly budget.
But the County is still recovering from the Great Recession. There are occasional glitches, such as
the recent increase in unemployment, but overall the economy is heading in a progressive
direction. As recognized by numerous politicians and economists, no government has ever taxed
itself into prosperity. This tax seems innocuous in that it is directed toward one depressed sector of
the economy, transportation, but if it is to be passed, some basic and progressive modifications must
be made.
It must be explicit that this revenue is for use in the County in which it is generated. Funds from the
increase in the GET in no way will impact the generation and distribution of transportation funding
currently given the County. Essential goods and services, such as health care, food, and
energy. This should be the first step in removing larger GET.
Interestingly, while preventing these funds from being redirected to Honolulu's rail debacle, perhaps
we could build our own train system. Invest in a series of short lines; from the �K1ona International
Comm: Plo. 1Jr1 0 ,
1 Ref. To: ?Vc
Ref. Date MAY 0 2 2016
Airport to Kailua Village and south; from Hilo to Kona; from Pahoa to Hilo (that latter is not such a bad
idea).
But the most important part at this time is to protect the economic recovery by not increasing taxation.
Therefore, no GET increase is warranted. It can always be implemented later.
Mike Reimer
Kailua-Kona
(303) 278-3673
GeoMike5(a att.net
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