HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-09 Letter to Ronald Kouchi & Donovan Dela Cruz re HB 1665 HD1 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax •
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March 9, 2018
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi
Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 409
Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz
Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 208
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Senate President Kouchi and Senator Dela Cruz:
Re: HB1665, HD1 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
HB 1665 started as a part of the Hawaii Council of Mayors package, and would
have restored the counties' allocation of the TAT to 45%. HB 1665, HD1, on the other
hand, would require that the counties request reimbursement for various expenses, and
justify each request in order to receive ANY TAT.
While it is not clear what expenses would qualify for reimbursement (e.g., what
percentage of overhead, salaries, maintenance products used at a park that serves
locals and visitors, etc.) nor how much revenue the counties would ultimately receive, it
is clear that the process would be a bureaucratic nightmare. Even if the counties wound
up getting more TAT money than at present, it would not be worth it.
This bill would cripple the partnership that has been created over the years in an
imperfect but meaningful attempt to best serve the 1.4 million people of Hawaii.
Therefore, you will not be surprised that we cannot support HD1, and ask that it be held,
or that the original intent of HB 1665 be restored.
Respectfully submitted,
G
Harry Kim
MAYOR, County of Hawai'i
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.