Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Hawaii Governor Vetoes Oil Tax and Other Bills

From BusinessWeek.com:

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle is vetoing measures raising taxes on oil, estates and traffic abstracts.

Lingle said in her veto message of the $22 million oil tax Tuesday that it would affect every resident by increasing the amount they pay for electricity, gas, shipping, retail goods, food and propane.

Traffic abstract fees would increase in cost from $7 to $20, generating $6.5 million.

The estate tax would raise $10 million next year.

The Republican governor also vetoed a measure preventing the closure of 31 welfare eligibility offices statewide and consolidating them into two processing centers in Honolulu and Hilo.

The Legislature plans to attempt veto overrides Thursday.

Lingle signed a cigarette tax hike of 1 penny per stick, bringing in $11 million.