2017-03-21 Letter to Scott Y. Nishimoto re SB 686 SD 2 Relating to Education Funding

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Harry Kim Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director &TUtIfm OfWhIfu ltrt Offrrs of for 4agor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961.6553 KONA: 74-5044 Are Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323.4444 • Fax(808) 3234440 March 21, 2017 Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto, Chair Committee on Judiciary Hawai'i State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Nishimoto and Members: RE: SB 686 SD 2 Relating to Education Funding As a former teacher myself, I fully appreciate the efforts of this Legislature to properly fund education. However, I cannot support S13686, SD2, and must speak against it. Effect on Real property tax. The County of Hawaii, as is true of the other counties, has little or no control over its revenue except in one area, real property taxes, and the County relies overwhelmingly on real property taxes to fund its operations. The burden of that tax can be heavy for many residents, but since it is virtually the only tool we have, we use it the best we can. A surcharge on residential investment properties would obviously limit County options and make it even more difficult to balance our budgets. Therefore, we have to jealously guard this taxing authority, and ask that you not breach this line of authority. Effect on TAT. Given our County's limited resources, we are fortunate that the Legislature has seen fit to allow the counties to share in the TAT. That has been a great help, and we thank you for it. However, this source of revenue is under constant pressure, and even this session the Legislature will be asked to increase the counties' share of TAT so that we can better serve our constituents and visitors. The TAT pie can only be divided into so many pieces, and a surcharge on visitor accommodations, even for the most noble of purposes, will obviously limit what can be raised and spent elsewhere. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.