HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0722.074 2016-2018Murashiqe, Laura
From: Russell Ruderman <russell@islandnaturals.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2018 1:17 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Re: Testimony on GE tax increase - Bill 102
Aloha Councilmembers,
I'd like to add a few points to my previous testimony.
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1) Two of the four counties have now chosen to take this rare opportunity to increase revenue. ( Oahu & Kauai
have passed this)
2) There is no guarantee that the window to do so will be extended. I find it unlikely.
3) When I hear people say 'more TAT to the counties' is preferable, I am reminded of the magical thinking of
children. Every year you have seen that no matter how loudly the counties ask, and no matter my thoughts or
your thoughts on the issue, the state keeps NOT helping the counties in any meaningful way.
County needs to preform county responsibilities with county funds. TAT will not come to the rescue.
To repeat, poor people are more harmed by the lack of a functional public transportation system than by the
1/2% GET increase.
To really, truly help poor people and finally fulfill one of the most basic County responsibilities, decades
overdue at great cost to our people, fund the needed transportation system.
Mahalo,
Russell E Ruderman
17-415 Ipuaiwaha St
Keaau HI 96749
On Sun, Feb 4, 2018 at 10:48 AM, Russell Ruderman <russellgislandnaturals.com> wrote:
Aloha Councilmembers.
I am testifying as an individual in support of raising the GE tax 1/2% at this rare opportunity to do so. No one
likes tax increases, and I realize it takes courage and a good reason to support it. Many will say 'this is a
3 regressive tax and harms poor people who cannot afford it.'
I urge you to recognize this important fact:
The lack of a functional, reliable public transportation system harms poor people many times more than a 1/2%
increase in GE.
To truly help the poor in our county, create a reliable convenient bus system. This is County kuleana to do so,
the County has failed the people in this important responsibility, and it is within your power to accomplish
with this tax.
i
Ref. To:
Ref. Date �� �
Lastly, please remember that most of the poor among us get SNAP benefits (aka Food Stamps) for their food
budget which are exempt from GE.
To summarize:
The lack of a functional, reliable public transportation system harms poor people many times more than a 1/2%
increase in GE.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
Russell E. Ruderman
State Senator, Puna and Ka'u
Mahalo,
Russell
Russell Ruderman
Island Naturals Markets
russellgislandnaturals.com