LINGLE TRIES TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR TAX VETO

Governor Linda Lingle is trying to rally support behind her efforts to veto three bills calling for tax increases.  One of the bills calls for a 28 percent hike in the hotel room tax.

Image Courtesy: Office of the Governor.

Anther bill calls for an increase in conveyance tax for land purchases over $2 million.  And a final bill would increase the personal income tax rate on thousands of residents who file their business income as personal income.

In her effort to drum up public support, Lingle spread a message through a webcast yesterday.  She also plans to veto the bills publicly at a gathering at the state capitol at 3:30 this afternoon.

In her web notification, Lingle said, “The tax increases passed by the 2009 Legislature would further erode the state’s already weakened economy, cause greater loss of jobs, and discourage visitors from coming to Hawai’i.”

She went on to say, “All the people of Hawai’i can have a place at the table in determining how we overcome the current economic challenges we face as a state.”

The legislature would still have the opportunity to override the governor’s veto, should they decide to revisit the legislation.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)