KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE
COUNCILMEMBER
(808) 768-5001 (808) 768-1217 (fax)
E-mail: kmpine@honolulu.gov
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
DATE 5/14/19 Tel: (808) 561-0901
Councilmember Pine Opposes Mayor’s Plan to Raise Trash Fee
HONOLULU– City Councilmember Kymberly Pine released the following statement today in opposition to Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to raise trash pickup fees.
“Mayor Caldwell came to the City Council’s budget committee today to try to convince us to pass the new monthly garbage fee. When he first pitched his fee, he said it was to cover employee expenses. Now his message is that it’s to cover rail operations. In order to restore the public’s trust in the rail project, we have to play it straight. We’ve been told a fairy tale about the cost of rail from the start and for the Mayor to continue to mislead the public is very disappointing,” said Councilmember Pine. “We need to focus on raising new revenue from new projects instead of increasing taxes and fees on our residents who are already struggling to keep up. For the upcoming budget cycle, I proposed $30 million in cuts, leaving $67 million in roll over funds and $12.83 million which is unrestricted. Additionally, there is $142,588,738 in rainy day funds and millions in new revenue coming from new, permitted projects. We have other options. I oppose the Mayor’s proposed trash fee increase.”
Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine represents residents of District One (ʻEwa, ʻEwa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko ʻOlina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Keaau, Makua)
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TrashFeeStatement051419.doc