Some GOP representatives prefer Senate's housing bill

Associated Press

Several members of the House Republican caucus say they are backing the housing bill created in the Senate and not the version passed by their own house.

Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, West Loch), called the House bill "just a dream" that is unlikely to bring Hawai'i residents the affordable housing options they need.

Pine said a House plan to raise the conveyance tax on homes assessed at $600,000 and higher would hurt larger families who pool their money to by a larger home.

The House bill also doesn't include a prohibition on raiding housing funds and places too many limitations on tax credits for developers of affordable housing, Pine said.

Others at yesterday's news conference were Reps. Corrine Ching, R-27th (Liliha, Pu'unui), Colleen Meyer, R-47th (Ha'iku, Kahalu'u, La'ie), and Mark Moses, R-40th (Makakilo, Kapolei, Royal Kunia).