nope, I did not forget about the city's power to raise taxes using property taxes.  from the beginning the plan was not to use property taxes as the primary funding source.  it was decided that a get surcharge would be best because tourists and other transients pay get which would lessen the burden to the Oahu taxpayers.  this silly argument that the get is regressive is true but overstated since  most states and counties on the mainland have some form of sales taxes.  Nevada does not have property or income taxes, only sales taxes, their only source of revenue.  Washington state has no income tax but a high sales tax.  if sales taxes were so regressive then why so many governmental entities use them?  the GET tax rates are 4% and 4.5%, not 4.712%.  you fail to understand the long-term projects, there will be cost overruns and rising costs due to inflation and unforeseen obstacles.  many long-term projects, costs often increase 100% or more.