Mayor disingenuous
Mayor disingenuous
I was surprised to see the Hawaii County Council, a body that represents a significant part of the most progressive, Democratic state in the country, is considering an increase in the very regressive general excise tax (“Mayor backs GET increase,” Tribune-Herald, April 19). I was not surprised to see the public was given less than a day’s notice to comment on the tax increase.
Being regressive, the GET affects low- and middle-income earners disproportionately, absorbing income needed for food, medicine, clothing and housing.
According to the Tribune-Herald’s estimate, the tax increase will generate an additional $25 million to $35 million in county tax revenue. This translates to about $130 to $180 per person, or more than $500 to $700 per family of four, per year. That’s a big bite out of Hawaii County’s median household income of $55,000.
Mayor Billy Kenoi’s observation that the council will not be voting to use the funds, but only to have “another tool in the toolbox” is patronizing and disingenuous. I don’t know of any tradesmen who carry around tool kits filled with tools they don’t plan to use.
Puna Councilman Gregor Ilagan was the only council member to outright reject this tax increase. Kinda makes me want to move to Puna.
Skip Sims
Ninole
Frog apologist
The last thing we need to listen to is an animal apologist defending the coqui frog infestation in Hawaii (“Leave frogs alone,” Your Views, April 19).
As I noted years ago in this forum, this is not a silent invasion; if there’s a will, these nuisance frogs can be easily enough detected and eliminated.
And though it might rub animal rights advocates wrong, Hawaii’s citizens deserve to have restored their serene, beautiful and tranquil nights.
Questions have been raised whether the decibel level of these invasive frogs can be injurious to the hearing of pets and feral animals that share their outdoors space.
There is no justification for allowing coqui frogs to despoil Hawaii any longer.
Don Nigro
Hilo