State Legislature: Taxes, Gambling and Death!
From the February 2012 Small Business News
The 2012 State Legislative Session convened January 18. The 60 working day session will continue until May 5. The Majority Leaders announced a curtailment of the usual celebratory tone of opening day. They wanted it to be “more business like” in light of Hawaii’s continuing economic problems. No flowers, friends or entertainment marked the opening and there were few and brief speeches. Hearings commenced immediately after the 10 am opening.
Calvin Say continues as Speaker of the House and Shan Tsutsui of Maui remains Senate President. Rep. Gene Ward is the Minority Leader of the 8 (of 51) House members and Sen. Sam Slom—the only Republican of 25 Senators—heads up the Senate Minority. Governor Neil Abercrombie announced the appointment to the State House of Representatives (District 33- Aiea) of Democrat Tom Okamura, replacing Rep. Blake Oshiro who the Governor chose last year as his Deputy Chief of Staff. Okamura previously served in the House for nearly 20 years.
Major issues during the Session will include the economy and job creation, budget considerations—a supplemental budget will be submitted—education, judicial reform and Native Hawaiian issues involving a ceded lands settlement.
Lobbying for gambling began before the Legislature and it will be top of mind. There will still be a push for tax increases, benefits for unions and additional government regulations. A January quarterly meeting of the state Council on Revenues reduced the September, 2011 rosey outlook of a 14.5% economic increase for the state and reduced it to a still too rosey 11.5% revenue increase. This will necessitate spending cuts and calls for more taxes.
Sugar beverage taxes will be back; maybe a push for more GET. Pension taxes are not expected but not out of the realm of possibility. Sen. Carol Fukunaga’s annual Internet Streamline Tax will be here and look for even more fees.
Physician assisted suicide animal cruelty and human trafficking bills will reappear as well.
For up to date information, go to the newly designed state website at http://capitol. hawaii.gov and the Senate Minority websites: http://senateminority.wordpress.com/ and http://hawaiisenatewatchdog.org/.