Senate Committee on Education and Housing (EDH) - chair: Sakamoto, vice chair: Kidani

Wednesday, February 18, 2009, Conference Room 230

Testifier: Jacqueline Parnell, President, LWV of Hawaii

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Dear Senator Sakamoto and Members of the Committee: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports any and all legislation that will enable us to retain and enlarge the stock of affordable shelter in Hawaii. This includes building new units and subsidizing existing units. We are particularly supportive of units that can be retained indefinitely and made available to new occupants. As an island state we will never have the luxury of a wide range of choices in kinds of housing available. It is therefore urgent that we enlarge our stock and retain what we have for future generations. Although the State may be in tough financial circumstances, this is not the time to make out poorest citizens bear the heaviest burden. We specifically urge you continue to allocate conveyance tax receipts to the rental housing trust fund at the highest level and for the longest period possible. We also support issuing general purpose bonds for the planning, development, and construction of affordable housing. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.