Will lawmakers fix ‘unconstitutional’ skim off rail tax? (2015, purchases)

[ScottStielow]

Will lawmakers fix ‘unconstitutional’ skim off rail tax? | KHON2
Every time you shell out rail tax on all your Oahu purchases, not all of that money goes to the transit project.
The state skims a fee off the top, and that has amounted to more than $163 million already. Where does it all go?
Though it’s called an administrative fee, you may be surprised what it’s spent on and how little is known about where it goes.
With the rail project in the red, some are asking, could all that cash be put to a different use?

This rail progress is getting worse, is there no surprise! It should have been constructed like the San Diego Trolley. It would be a lot less cost and maybe, or not! We would not be in this mess with the funding.

[whtviper1]

$163 million is chump change compared to the states annual $12 billion budget - and some guy from a tax foundation saying it is not constitutional doesn't mean it is unconstitutional. Heck, I'd rather $163 million of the GET surcharge be spent on something other than rail.

[ScottStielow]

We'll have to see how this all works out. But i fear there will be more costs down the road for the rail project.
I agree if that 163 million was being used on something else at least show what the money was used for?
I just feel its the same old slight of hand stuff going down, funding something not passed during the Legislative session.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by ScottStielow

I agree if that 163 million was being used on something else at least show what the money was used for?

I doubt many people who work for companies know exactly how the money is spent. And I don't see that happening in Hawaii with unprecedented prosperity.

[ScottStielow]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

I doubt many people who work for companies know exactly how the money is spent. And I don't see that happening in Hawaii with unprecedented prosperity.

Unfortunately i have to agree!