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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0722.007 2016-2018Murashige, Laura From: Sally Ancheta <sally@tobaccofreehawaii.org> Sent: 'Friday, February 02, 2018 11:53 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Strong Support for HC Bill 102 Attachments: Bill 102 Strong Support HI HEAL-HIPHI Testimony 131 2018.pdf Aloha Hawai' i County Council Finance Committee Chair David, and Honorable Council Members, Please see our strong supportfor Hawai' i County Bill 102, which will increase funding for Mass Transit and active transportation in Hawai' i County. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding my testimony. I may be reached at (808) 936-2686 Mahalo! Sally Ancheta Sally Ancheta East Hawaii; Community Coordinator Hawai'i Public Health Institute Coalition for Tobacco -Free Hawaii (808)936-2686 or Sally@hiphi.org C= Find us at: www.hiphi.org /www.tobaccofreehawaii.org @hubforhealth @TobaccoFreeHawaii�;�'J ��7 L The Hub for Health-wi 1-0 k.:a�ff R O e z W! m. •� Ref. To: i Ref, Dote -B 0 6 2RTR Date: January 31, 2018 To: The Honorable Maile Medeiros David, Chair 01 � 5" , a,_ry,,3.?s;:a: 3%Sss UI . The Honorable Karen Eoff, Vice Chair Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance From: Sally Ancheta, East Hawai'i Community Coordinator Re: Strong Support for Bill 102, Transportation Surcharge Hrg: February 6, 2018 at 10:00am Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in strong support of Bill 102, establishing the Transportation Surcharge which would establish a one-half percent (0.5%) general excise and use tax surcharge to be used for purposes of funding the operating and capital costs of public transportation within the County of Hawai'i. The Hawai'i Island Healthy Eating Active Living (HI HEAL) coalition is home to the Hawaii Public Health Institute. HI HEAL's mission is to improve the quality of life of the residents and visitors of Hawaii County by working to promote opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods. Bill 102 would provide a new funding source for the improvement of roadways and access to public transportation for Hawai'i Island residents and visitors. HI HEAL recommends that a portion of the GET surcharge be allocated toward: • Projects such as Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School, and capital improvements to support non -motorized forms of transportation such as walking and biking. • The implementation of Hawaii County's new Mass Transit Plan to improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities and to improve infrastructure condition to address public health and safety. According to the County Health Rankings 2017 report, Hawaii County ranks last when it comes to providing access to physical activity. Hawaii County is at 64%, compared to Honolulu County at 95%, Kaua'i County at 91% and Maui County at 94%. In addition, studies show that 80% of what affects a person's health lies outside of clinical care. The conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play affect their health far more than genes or clinical care do. Hawaii County has the opportunity to generate much needed funds to improve in mass transit infrastructure and our roadways and paths systems. Investments in our he $,...„„ an -06`A ! 3,«� -y^'T INSTITUTE Date: January 31, 2018 To: The Honorable Maile Medeiros David, Chair 01 � 5" , a,_ry,,3.?s;:a: 3%Sss UI . The Honorable Karen Eoff, Vice Chair Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance From: Sally Ancheta, East Hawai'i Community Coordinator Re: Strong Support for Bill 102, Transportation Surcharge Hrg: February 6, 2018 at 10:00am Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in strong support of Bill 102, establishing the Transportation Surcharge which would establish a one-half percent (0.5%) general excise and use tax surcharge to be used for purposes of funding the operating and capital costs of public transportation within the County of Hawai'i. The Hawai'i Island Healthy Eating Active Living (HI HEAL) coalition is home to the Hawaii Public Health Institute. HI HEAL's mission is to improve the quality of life of the residents and visitors of Hawaii County by working to promote opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods. Bill 102 would provide a new funding source for the improvement of roadways and access to public transportation for Hawai'i Island residents and visitors. HI HEAL recommends that a portion of the GET surcharge be allocated toward: • Projects such as Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School, and capital improvements to support non -motorized forms of transportation such as walking and biking. • The implementation of Hawaii County's new Mass Transit Plan to improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities and to improve infrastructure condition to address public health and safety. According to the County Health Rankings 2017 report, Hawaii County ranks last when it comes to providing access to physical activity. Hawaii County is at 64%, compared to Honolulu County at 95%, Kaua'i County at 91% and Maui County at 94%. In addition, studies show that 80% of what affects a person's health lies outside of clinical care. The conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play affect their health far more than genes or clinical care do. Hawaii County has the opportunity to generate much needed funds to improve in mass transit infrastructure and our roadways and paths systems. Investments in our transit and alternative transportation options will provide our residents and future generation with the opportunity to live in a healthy and active community. The County of Hawaii has always led the way in creating healthy communities in the state of Hawai'i. If more residents are able to walk, bike, or take the bus, then less cars will be on the road, ultimately reducing traffic, road congestion, carbon emissions, and improving air quality around schools and our neighborhoods. We ask the Council to pass Bill 102 as an important investment in the future of our health in Hawaii County. Sincerely, ea Sally Ancheta East Hawaii Community Coordinator