hooray, the GET increase passed!

[kalakoa]

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018...-deadline/

The tax is projected to raise $10 million for the fiscal 2018-19 budget year that starts Sunday, and $25 million a year after that, before it expires Dec. 31, 2020.

Translation: we will now be subsidizing rail on Oahu: $1M this year, $2.5M next year.

They've already got the money spent, too:

2018-19: $4.9M "lava loss", $3.6M mass transit
2019-20: $11.5M mass transit, $700K acquiring right-of-way, $5.6M for Kawili, Alii, Kinoole and Manono, $6.4M for Lanikaula, Waianuenue, Kamehameha, Kilauea, Komohana, Mamalahoa Highway.

State verbiage authorizing this tax increase does stipulate that funds "may" be spent on "private" roads. Not holding my breath.

O'Hara pushed for a commitment that the bill would be changed to a 2030 expiration date before the year is out. But her colleagues refused to do so...

Does anyone really believe this tax won't be extended?

[Chunkster]

As usual, they raised taxes without even a vague gesture towards greater efficiency, economizing, or (God forbid) personnel cost reductions. If the local economy tanks even further as seems more than possible, rest assured that they will they raise taxes yet again. I never thought I would say this, but I am actually missing Billy Kenoi. He may have been very ethically challenged and obsessed with debt financed park construction, but he enacted furlough Fridays and put a hiring freeze in place. Then again, ALL our politicians are ethically challenged, just in different ways, so maybe my nostalgia for Billy isn't so crazy after all.

As for Eileen Ohara, she has not only voted for the increase, but wants it extended without waiting to see how long the emergency goes on. That Ashley woman is looking better all the time, if for no other reason than to send Eileen a message that enough is enough.

[alaskyn66]

I for one am exstatic for Honolulu. Now I will get on welfare to make sure I contribute to their well being.

[Frank]

This represents "The Very Best" (thinking, creativity, fiscally responsible, along with leadership, salaried - $ 2,078,000.00 per year), that a 21 person county trust could come up with?

In some words from Harry - I got a bad feeling about _______ !

[AaronM]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chunkster

That Ashley woman is looking better all the time, if for no other reason than to send Eileen a message that enough is enough.

---

I have yet to vote for the same person twice in the last decade. Puna Politics = Catch & Release!

[ericlp]

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/0...-tax-plea/

Kim needs to be ousted. He couldn't lead the East Side out of a paper bag.

[kalakoa]

The loss of direct revenues and indirect revenues because of the closure of the National Park is unbelievable.

Almost as unbelievable as not having a viewing area to create tourism revenue.

[Old Croc]

Heart of the Matter and Belly Laugh of the Week: " and big hikes in costs from collective bargaining and other employee-related expenses, the majority of the council felt it had no choice."

[kalakoa]

the council felt it had no choice

There was no other way.