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March 1989 | April 1989 |
 League Members' Discussion MeetingPresident's Message (Arlene Ellis)500-foot Height Limit for Downtown Honolulu? -- Some Pros and Cons (Astrid Monson)Sources and Uses of City FundsProposed Budget 1989-90Nominating Committee ReportAnnual MeetingUrgent! Help Needed for Vote CountSenate ResolutionWomen's Equality -- Women's Lives |
Sources and Uses of City FundsMr. Lowell L. Kalapa, Director of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii addressed some of the areas covered by the League's material on the Sources and Uses of City Funds with an assessment of alternative methods of funding. Mrs. Smith was unable to attend due to a City Council workshop which conflicted with the League's meeting, but Mr. Kalapa provided much information and "food for thought" He pointed out that the city's needs for funds have expanded since 1965, when the present funding system was established, due to environmental concerns---the sewage treatment facilities being one example. He noted also that the city expressed to the State Constitutional Convention that being able to utilize property taxes as the primary base for funding would be sufficient. Also, State distribution of funds (including grants-in-aid) to the counties impacts on State spending limits set by law. He noted that tax credits for counties can serve as circuit breaker relief for counties. The currently discussed administrative and legislative proposal to turn taxing powers on "sin items" over to the counties was thought not to be of continuing value as community/society efforts to reduce liquor and tobacco consumption would curtail revenues from these sources. Further, he expressed the opinion that tax relief should be related to income, not to physical infirmity, and that property tax relief is given because you have the privilege of owning your home. These and other areas will be discussed at the April meeting. Be sure to attend this consensus meeting; have your say on this important subject. See your last Voter for more questions to ponder as you read the City Funding publication.
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