HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-13 Mayor Harry Kim's testimony re SB 1290 ............ Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor -9ror
Barbara J.Kossow
,4141 0.V - Deputy Managing Director Countv of Paitnii%
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February 13, 2017
Senator Glenn Wakai
Economic Development, Tourism and
Technology
Senator Clarence Nishihara
Public Safety, Intergovernmental and
Military Affairs
Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chairs Wakai and Nishihara, and members:
RE: SB 1290
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SB 1290.
Given Hawaii County's limited resources (and seemingly unlimited needs), we are fortunate
that the Legislature has allowed the counties to share in the TAT. The TAT is a vital revenue source
in balancing our budget, and we thank you for it.
Since the State and the counties serve the same constituents, it is important that we continue
to work as partners in meeting the needs of our communities. As demand for services is ever
increasing (and so is the cost of those services), it is equally important that revenue be appropriately
shared so that the demands can be met to the best of our collective ability.
Although I could hope for even more, SB 1290 seems to be a reasonable division of revenue
among the various parties that are looking for a piece of the TAT pie. SB 1290 recognizes that there
should not be a cap on the counties' share, and that without TAT, the counties would be forced to
raise property taxes and/or reduce services to levels that most would find unacceptable.
I urge you to approve SB 1290
pecffully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.