HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-22 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran re SB 3088, SD 1 Relating to GET SurchargeHarry Kim
Mayor
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Wil Okabe
Alanagitig Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 22, 2018
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211
Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice -Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice -Chair Keith-Agaran and Committee Members:
Re: SB 3088, SD 1 Relating to GET Surcharge
Hearing Date: 02/28/18 — 10:00 am; Conference Room 211
On February 21, the Hawai`i County Council postponed action on a proposal to adopt a GET
surcharge. At that moment, S 3088, SD 1, went from a "nice -to -have safety valve" to being crucial for
our budget deliberations. I want to thank the author of the bill, as well as the Transportation and Energy
Committee Chair, for having the wisdom to keep this option alive for us.
As you may know, I opposed increasing the GET in awail County for as long as I have been
Mayor. However, I have had to come to terms with the fiscal vise that makes it nearly impossible to (1)
balance our County budget, and (2) provide the services that our communities need, without increasing
our tax revenue. I therefore am now a full-throated advocate for the surcharge, and willingly taking the
heat for that change in position.
The Council wants to act after the Legislature completes its 2018 session, and scheduled the
ordinance for further hearing in May. I hope you can understand that it is a tough vote to take, and that
Hawaii County needs this additional time to make the difficult decision to adopt the surcharge. Therefore
I ask that you give this bill, SB 3088, SD 1, your favorable consideration. A drop -dead date of June 30
will give adequate time for us to adopt the ordinance, while also allowing the Department of Taxation
enough time to prepare appropriate forms for Calendar Year 2019.
Please pass SB 3088, SD 1.
pectfully submitted,
Harry Ki
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.