CIVIC CORNER

Property Taxes

The debate over Honolulu's property tax structure continues , as the City Council begins eyeing possible expansions of the "circuit breaker" tax breaks for owner-occupants. The council's Budget Committee is considering alternative proposals — Bills 09-75 and 09-09. The first would cap property taxes at 3 percent of household income for those earning $50,000 or less and at 4 percent for all those above that income level. The second would retain the $50,000 total income limit eligibility but also lower the cap to 3 percent — the current limit is 4 percent. It also would lower the cap further, to 2 percent, for seniors. Council members disagree on whether this additional tax relief is excessive, given that a separate tax category now has been created for owner-occupants. What do you think?

GET INVOLVED
Contact your public officials to make your views known:

Todd Apo: City Councilman Apo chairs the Honolulu City Council.

Reach him at: tapo@honolulu.gov or 768-5001.



Nestor Garcia: City Councilman Garcia chairs the council's Budget Committee, which has these bills under consideration.

Reach him at: ngarcia@honolulu.gov or 768-5009.



Mufi Hannemann: The mayor of Honolulu implements the tax policy and has the option to sign or veto tax proposals.

Reach him at: mayor@honolulu.gov or 768-4141.

More »

MORE OPINION FORUMS

Favorite topics of our readers