Isle mayors hope Neighbor island county leaders know that the state's budget shortfall means that it will be hard to get additional funds. They also hope they don't lose the state funding they already have.
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Legislators hear UH appealBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com"I think we're all aware what Gov. (Linda) Lingle and the Legislature have been talking about all these weeks, months and longer in regards to the deficit that they're facing," said Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim.
Kim, Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, all Republicans, are scheduled to appear before the Legislature money committees today on the first day of a series of informational briefings as part of the budget process.
Representatives of the Judiciary, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and several legislative agencies were also scheduled to appear today.
Kim said that with the state wrestling with a potential $340 million deficit, there may not be much more to give out to counties.
"The funds available for the distribution of new projects is going to be very, very tight," Kim said. "I do anticipate this is going to be very difficult as far as our funds."
The mayors are hoping that the state will not take away sources of funding the counties are receiving such as a share of the hotel room tax, also known as the transient accommodations tax.
"It's a very important source of revenue for Hawaii County, and obviously we're going to ensure that this message is carried to the Legislature," Kim said.
Baptiste added, "I'm hoping that they understand in their infinite wisdom that the county pretty much has one taxing authority (in property taxes), so we need to count on some state assistance that's reliable."
Kim said he would be happy with the status quo and "hopefully, one or two of our projects will be considered."
Kim said he will also show state lawmakers that the county is doing what it can to offset their problems. Last year, the Hawaii County Council approved a 25 percent property tax rate hike, which Kim said is needed to balance its $205 million budget.
"We are not coming just cup-in-hand without us doing our part as far as working in regards to fiscal responsibility, including the unpopular things of raising taxes and fees of various county services throughout the island," said Kim, who will be making his third appearance before the Legislature as mayor.
Baptiste, who was elected this past fall, said that hiking real property taxes on his island would hurt.
"Our major concern is that the people of Kauai can afford no more taxes in the area of property taxes without possibly being forced off their land because they don't have income to pay," Baptiste said.
Kim said Lingle's experience as a county mayor and Council member will help her look at things from the county perspective.
Arakawa could not be reached for comment, but he has also said previously that he is aware of the potential economic troubles ahead that could affect Maui County.
Mayor Jeremy Harris is scheduled to brief lawmakers later this month. The city is also facing financial woes, having to come up with a way to offset a $160 million budget shortfall, and a hike in property tax rates is also being discussed as an option.
Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes
Testimony by email: testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov
Include in the email the committee name; bill number;
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