HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0081.002 2018-2020 ,
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INSTITUTE HEALTHY
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Date: February 1, 2019 -11tn
To: The Honorable Maile Medeiros David, Chair
The Honorable Herbert "Tim" Richards, Ill,Vice Chair
Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance
From: Sally Ancheta, Hawaii Island Community Coordinator
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Re: Strong Support for Bill 19 GET Tax Increase
Hrg: February 4, 2019 at 1O:OOam
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in strong support of Bill 19, increasing the
Transportation Surcharge to 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 Hawai'i 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 19 would provide additional funding source for the improvement of roadways and access to
public transportation for Hawaii 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.
• Increasing safe and protected bike lanes to increase mobile transportation
• The implementation of Hawai'i 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 2018 report, Hawaii County ranks last when it comes
to providing access to physical activity. Hawaii County is at 73%,compared to Honolulu County
at 100%, Kaua'i County at 93%and Maui County at 92%.
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. Hawai'i County has the opportunity to generate much needed funds to
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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 Hawai 'i has always led the way in creating healthy communities in the state of
Hawai'i and we applaud Mayor Kim for Proclaiming Vision Zero,to reduce pedestrian and
bicyclist deaths and serious injuries to ZERO in Hawai'i County. With the GE tax increase, more
residents will be able to safely walk, bike, or take the bus.
We ask the Council to pass Bill 19 as an important investment in the future of our health in
Hawaii County.
Sincerely,
i
Sa y Ancheta
Hawaii Island Community Coordinator