In your article on the empty homes tax, you quote Justin Tyndall, an associate professor with UHERO, as saying, “The more people who fill their units, the more housing we generate; the fewer people that fill their units, the more revenue the program would generate for the county.”
Of course. And as the units are filled, the revenue will drop — theoretically to zero. But the administrative costs that Budget and Fiscal Services Director Andy Kawano discussed will remain. The tax police who will come look at your home will have to be paid. Property values will decrease, so tax revenue will decrease. The city will have to defend itself against many class action lawsuits and pay judgments that will further increase costs.
Do not look to a foreign country like Canada for examples; look to U.S. cities like San Francisco, whose empty homes tax was just declared unconstitutional.
Bob Gould
Kaneohe
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
In the spirit of this season, take a moment to count your blessings. Recent times might’ve been tough — politically, economically or otherwise — but surely there are positives.
Here’s your chance to reflect on what you appreciate. Today through Dec. 9, we’ll be accepting “Count Your Blessings” letters (150 words max) or essays (500-600 words). A collection of these will run in mid-December.
Email to letters@staradvertiser.com; or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Bldg. 2, room 200, Honolulu 96813, c/o Letters.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter
