In response to Dr. Kwiat’s letter Feb. 12,“Taxing condos not worth teachers’ wants,” I can’t help reflect on how many teachers I know whose simple wants include affordable housing, and a decent, living wage to support their families.
It is clear, the writer doesn’t fully understand the huge income gap between the working class and those who can afford income properties. The proposed surcharge on residential investment properties and visitor accommodations can help us raise over $500 million each year for education without unfairly impacting us working class residents.
Yes, if you own more than one investment property, you would be subject to this new surcharge. However, there are many exemptions to the fee (which Dr. Kwiat’s argument failed to mention.) For example, property owners who rent to those on a fixed income would be exempt, as are those who rent their additional units for $2,500 per month or less. This surcharge proposal has been thoroughly researched by the Hawaii State Teachers Association and was determined to be the least disruptive to the local, working class families of Hawaii.
There are a number of gaps in Dr. Kwiat’s letter against this measure. I’d question any arguments that include generalized statements like “I am certain that most of the rental units on Oahu, Maui and Kauai are also owned primarily by retirees.” Another questionable figure he includes also deserves review: “Over 95 percent of these properties were purchased and owned by persons at or near the age of retirement.”
Some data I do trust, however, shared by HSTA’s vetting of this issue, shows that up to 70 percent of the subject properties on Maui and Kauai are owned by non-residents. On the Big Island, the data shows 25-33 percent of these properties in question are owned by non-residents.
Again, I’d caution opponents not to throw around unsubstantiated numbers, especially in this age of “alternative facts.”
Finally, I find it ironic that many teachers (like myself, a 10-plus year veteran in Hawaii Department of Education) have to take on additional jobs, like cleaning vacation condos, to pay our bills. We are trying to stop the hemorrhage of teachers leaving our state for better-paying mainland jobs. The least we can do is offer a decent, living wage.
Thoughtful voters need to study and support this proposal to increase a portion of property taxes and raise $500-plus million per year for education. Hawaii is the only state in the nation that does not allow (under the constitution) a school parcel tax, or special property tax designated for education. Our public schools help prepare citizens of tomorrow— citizens that we hope will grow up to be teachers, builders, musicians, writers, lawyers, and, yes, even doctors (who we hope someday will invest in “income property” in their retirement years!)
Toni Reynolds is a teacher in Kona