No to tax hike
No to tax hike
In 2013, the bus fares were increased to $2, and bus riders were imposed a $1 fee for each extra bag they brought onto the bus.
The county also did away with free fares for students and the disabled. Greggor Ilagan supported this increase to the poorest demographic on the Big Island; he stated then that the money to improve bus service had to come from “somewhere.”
Well, the service never improved and now Mr. Billy Kenoi wants a further increase in taxes for the service? In what reality does this man live? And does he think we are still listening to him after what he has done?
He appointed a director for transportation that does not even have the qualifications for an executive position — another of his “acquaintances” getting big county paychecks!
Perhaps axing her job will bring the needed revenue. That is, if the mayor doesn’t need to spend more money in hostess bars and for expensive surfboards!
Jeanne Seimer
Hilo
Don’t increase GET
So, they want to raise our taxes again! We’ve seen vehicle registration go up dramatically, water rates have gone way up, etc. Now, if we’re paying a higher general excise tax rate, doesn’t the income from the hike increase naturally with the prosperity of the area?
How about the fact that with all these increases in taxes, they don’t see fit to give those on Social Security any increase?
Yet, many of the elected people voted themselves increases. The county now is asking for more, a higher percentage, of your money!
So, what it boils down to is the county wants to lower your living standards — your income — to raise their living standards! Those on fixed incomes already are absorbing higher health care and prescription costs, and they’re expected to go higher in the near future.
The government — in this case the county — should live within its means, as we do.
Those on fixed incomes will have less money for health care, less for food and less for general living requirements.
A percentage can be a fair way to figure taxes. But to increase the GET is to take more from the people without real justification.
James R. Ederer
Hilo