Posts: 14,121
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/04/2...education/
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2922&year=2018
The idea is that there should be a State-level property tax on "investment real property" in order to "support public education". Testimony in support from DOE, HSTA, etc. Testimony in opposition from the Counties.
We're also supposed to believe that tourists and/or rich investors will be footing the bill, so the money is effectively "free".
Most likely outcome: DOE funding is cut to offset the new tax revenue; DOE won't actually get "more" money.
Because this is a
constituational amendment, a future Legislature can "alter the deal" as they see fit, for example by increasing the rate, expanding the tax to homeowners, etc.
Posts: 3,210
Threads: 109
Joined: Jun 2010
State trying to suck more money away from the counties. Their "think of the children" tactics should really be "Think of our pensions! Think of Oahu rail!"
ETA: I would support a revenue neutral shift in the county tax favoring homeowners over investors.
Posts: 92
Threads: 1
Joined: Sep 2014
quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
Most likely outcome: DOE funding is cut to offset the new tax revenue; DOE won't actually get "more" money.
My thoughts exactly.
The measure will pass simply on the ballot wording. I'd love to be wrong and see the legislature pass all of the additional revenue on to the DOE budget. Even if the revenue ends up in the general fund, the impact the Big Island will be significantly less than most of the other islands.
Posts: 1,858
Threads: 46
Joined: Apr 2015
This is for investment homes whose value exceeds 1 million dollars.
Posts: 14,121
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
This is for investment homes whose value exceeds 1 million dollars.
Until State "alters the deal", which will quickly become necessary as people decide to liquidate their "investment" due to high taxation.
Assuming a hotel is an "investment property", they can just pass their higher taxes along to the tourists... who might decide to vacation elsewhere due to the inflated cost.
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
My biggest concern here is that, if approved, the ballot measure would open up a whole new arena of taxation. Do we really think the rapacious state machine will stop at taxing million dollar investment properties? As for the dedication of the money to education, I don't trust them not to change that, too. Also, one could make an argument that the state education apparatus has been a failure and that some fundamental reforms should precede any new infusion of cash. Only when they start the money we are already giving them wisely would I even consider giving them more.
Posts: 4,256
Threads: 96
Joined: Mar 2014
The state (teachers union) has repeatedly said we need more money for education, and has repeatedly got it. Other than repeatedly receiving higher and higher teacher pay, what has this got us? Are students ANY better than 20 years ago?
Posts: 1,975
Threads: 47
Joined: Jul 2012
teacher pay
My understanding is there is one administrator for every teacher in Hawaii. I might look other places than teacher pay to see where the money is going; for instance how much do administrators make vs. teachers?
Posts: 4,256
Threads: 96
Joined: Mar 2014
Many teachers end up in administrator jobs...
Posts: 1,175
Threads: 12
Joined: Jun 2008
leilanidude @ 14:15:29 04/24/2018-
"Many teachers end up in administrator jobs"
So?
Non-sequitur?
