Lingle vetoes tax increases, setting up Friday showdown
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
Standing before hundreds massed in the state Capitol rotunda Gov. Linda Lingle this afternoon vetoed four bills that would raise taxes while asking the public to reach out to legislators and ask them not to override her efforts.
While the crowd chanted "veto, veto, veto," Lingle vetoed bills that would increase state income taxes on the wealthy, the hotel room tax, taxes on tobacco products, and the conveyance tax on the sale of luxury homes.
House and Senate leaders have said they believe they have the two-thirds votes necessary to override the vetoes and will consider possible overrides tomorrow.
"They (lawmakers) can't tax their way out of this economic crisis. It just doesn't make sense," said Lingle. "It (the tax increases) is not just about people who have a lot of money, it's about all the people of Hawaii."
Hotel workers from properties belonging to Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton Maui, Aston Hotels and Resorts, and Starwood appeared in uniform in support of the veto. |
