THE SENATE AND HOUSE MINORITIES HAVE JOINED FORCES THIS YEAR TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII

Hawaii House and Senate Minority Press Release January 28, 2014

The Senate and House Minority believe it is time the people's political representatives work for the people, the ordinary everyday person.  Senator Slom and Representative Aaron Ling Johanson and his fellow House Republicans have hit the ground running, setting a record for early action in a spirit of cooperation, introducing companion legislation that includes financial relief for every taxpayer in Hawaii.

It is time for Hawaii to give back to the people instead of taking unnecessarily.  The Minority want to increase the personal exemption to be the same as the federal exemption, thereby putting an approximate average of $465 per year in each family's pocket for each tax return filed.  This will provide direct relief to everyone who files their Hawaii tax return.   

Several other bills and issues with full Minority support were introduced at the joint press conference. These include bills for the protection of children and elderly persons, bills supporting veterans, tax exemptions, and more.

Referendum/Initiative:

1. SB 2142 (Initiative)
2. SB 2143 (Referendum)
3. HB 1816 (Initiative/Referendum)

Children/Elderly:

1. HB 1981/SB 2145: Bill of Rights for child victims & child witnesses
2. HB 1982/SB 2146: Video testimony of child
3. HB 1983/SB 2147: Silver Alert system

Military benefits:

1. HB 1986/SB 2167: Income tax exclusion for military on active duty who our serving outside the State
2. HB 1984/SB 2151: Military veteran designation on driver’s license

Taxes/Transparency:

1. HB 1985/SB 2159: Moves up disclosure deadline for financial interests to January 15th.
2. HB 2625/SB 3080: Conforms State personal exemption amount to federal PE amount.