INFOGRAPHIC: The Abercrombie-Ige Policy Agenda By The Numbers
New Infographic Spells Out The Results Of The Last Four Years For Hawaii
HONOLULU (September 19, 2014) - The Hawaii Republican Party today released a new infographic that spells out the results after four years of Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Sen. David Ige's policies. It is a stark reminder that the next four years cannot be like the last.
"After four years of the Abercrombie-Ige policy agenda, Hawaii is ranked as the worst state in the country to make a living. Clearly a new direction is needed to help middle-class families and get Hawaii back on track." --Hawaii Republican Party Communications Advisor Ted Kwong
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BACKGROUND:
Governor Neil Abercrombie And Senator David Ige Have Passed Over $833 Million Of Tax Increases Since 2011. (Jorge Martin and Max Velthoven, "Tax Increases Enacted by Democrat Governors Since 2011," Americans for Tax Reform, 5/9/14)
A MoneyRates.com Report Ranked Hawaii As The Worst Place To Make A Living In 2014. “At the other end of the spectrum–and a different corner of the map–Hawaii ranks as the worst place to make a living in 2014, due to a cost of living that stands at 157% the national average and a poor work environment score.” (Kathryn Dill, “The Best And Worst States To Make A Living In 2014,” Forbes, 6/9/14)
A New Study Shows Hawaii Has The Second Worst Tax System Overall And The Third Most Overtaxed Middle Class. "Hawaii's middle class are the third-most overtaxed in the U.S., and the 20 percent of residents with the lowest incomes are the fourth-most over-taxed, making Hawaii's tax system second-worst in the U.S." (Erika Engle, "Hawaii's tax system the second-worst in U.S.," Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9/15/14)
The U.S. Housing And Urban Development Data Says Hawaii's Rent Is 71 Percent Higher Than Average. “We spend more on housing. Based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data, the National Low Income Housing Coalition says the median cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment in Hawaii is $1,671 a month. That’s not just the highest nationally, it is about 71 percent more than the national average of $977.” (Kery Murakami, “Living Hawaii: Why Is the Price of Paradise So High?”Honolulu Civil Beat, 9/4/13)
The U.S. Agriculture Department Says Hawaii's Food Prices Are 70 Percent Higher Than Average.“Food costs more. The U.S. Department of Agriculture calculates the differences in cost around the country to determine the size of food stamp benefits, and has found that food prices in Hawaii are 70 percent more than the national average. According to the USDA’s calculations, a family of four with young children nationally should be able to eat on a ‘thrifty’ food budget of $373 per month. In Hawaii, it would cost the same family $632 for the same meals.” (Kery Murakami, “Living Hawaii: Why Is the Price of Paradise So High?” Honolulu Civil Beat, 9/4/13)
The U.S. Energy Information Agency Says Hawaii's Electricity Rates Are 308 Percent Higher Than Average. “Similarly, the people of Hawaii pay the highest electricity rates at 37 cents per kilowatt hour, triple the national average of 12 cents per kilowatt hour, according to the the US. Energy Information Agency. That translates into bills that are two, three or even four times those in other states.” (Kery Murakami, “Living Hawaii: Why Is the Price of Paradise So High?” Honolulu Civil Beat, 9/4/13)
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