HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-18 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty Cullen HB 1776 Proposed HD1 Relating to Taxation os M,4, Roy Takemoto
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Harry Kim ft 1.
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-N�9,so)• Barbara J. Kossow
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County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 18, 2020
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair
Committee on Finance
Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 1776 Proposed HD1 Relating to Taxation
Several bills are being considered by this year's Legislature which would extend a
County's opportunity to adopt a GET surcharge. As I testified on another bill, Hawaii County
has adopted its surcharge on State tax, and therefore would not be affected directly by adoption
of such an extension. Nevertheless, I thought that it was appropriate for me to support my
counterparts in other counties as they face financial issues unique to their jurisdictions.
Then disaster relief was added to the mix in SB 2686, and in that respect Hawaii County
would see a direct benefit through flexibility, so I asked that SB 2686, SD1 be approved.
Now HB 1776, proposed HD1, would add something new again, the welcome addition of
flexibility in the form of spending on affordable housing infrastructure. However, this comes with
the limitation that, if the county ordinance is adopted after December 2019, the revenue raised
can only be used for such infrastructure.
I cannot say whether such a restriction is acceptable to other jurisdictions, and I defer to
them on that matter. For Hawaii County, we would welcome maximum flexibility, and if the
Legislature were willing to add disaster relief and affordable housing to allowable expenditures,
that would be a step—maybe two steps—in the right direction.
Thank you for your consideration.
Re •-ctfully Submitted,
e I
Harry Kirit
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.