HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-03 Letter to Justin H. Woodson re_ SB 2922, SD 1 Relating to Constitutional Amendment Surcharge on Property TaxV OF
Wil Okabie
Akinagying Director
Harr Kim
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Barbara I Kossow
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25 Au'puni Street, Suite 2603 Hillo, Flawail'i 96720 (8l08) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-50:44 ,ane KeoholkAlole Hwy-, Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawail"i 967,40
(808) 3123-4444 el Fax (8018) 323-4440,
Representative Justin H'. Woioidsoin, Chia,ir
Committee wn Eduica,tioln
Hi awail"i State Capitol, Room 309
Honiolulu,l HI 96813
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Re: SlBi 292i2, SD I Relating to Consfitutional' Amendment Su
Property Tax
Hearing Da,te: 04/041/2018 —3:00 pmi; House Conference Room 3019
I riespectfully and urgently request that SB 2922, SID, 1, amending the
Constituition to authioirize a State suircharge on real property, not move forward.
I recognize that SIB 29i2,2, SDi 1 has s,olme superficial political appeal�, tied as it ii
1to i betteir funding for education., However, no matteir what the potential benefits of SIB
291221: SID 1 , impingiing on the coun;ti�es" singular source of incom,el would be devastat�in
to us. I
iAs + you well know, t�h le counties have little or nio conitrol over their revenue excep'L
in one area, real property taxes, and therefore we rely overwhelmingly on rea,l propeirty
taxes to fund olur operations. For the Counity of Hawai'i, a, fulli 74%1 olf our revenue is,
from property taxes.
The burden of the property tax can be heavy for manly residents,, but since it i
virtually the only tool we have, we use it thlei besit we ca,n. A surcharge on resiidenti'a
investment properties would obviously limit County options, and' make it eiven, more
�a,rd th�is taxing
difficult to balance our bludgets. Therefore, we have to jealously gu�i
aut�hority, and' asik that you not break this bright line of separation.
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County Of Vlawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Aprill 3, 2018
Page 2
None of these argumein�ts are meant to downgirade the importance of educa,t*
ion
to Hiawai 1 s pa�st, present, and future., I can and'doi acknowledge the va,lue of education,
and 1 applaud those who want to improlve and enhance amiional opportunities of
our future generations. I simply ask that progress not be mi de on the backs of the
counties which have so few, alternate resources to fall back on.
I ask that SB 2922, SID 1 be held.
Respectfully subm,fitted,
000
Harry Kim
Mayor, County ofHawail
awai i is V loyer.
C ounty of I I an Equal (".)PPIC"'Irtunity Provil, er an( -mp