Ige Again Claims He Opposed Tax Increases

Senator Ige's Record Of Supporting Tax Hikes Includes An Excise Tax Increase And A Tax On Pensions

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party

HONOLULU (September 30, 2014) - At the KITV debate on Tuesday night, Senator David Ige once again boasted that he opposed tax increases as Chairman of Ways and Means, but his record paints a very different picture. Senator Ige and Governor Abercrombie raised taxes $833 million over the past four years, and Ige has supported numerous more.

"Senator Ige said he has been a champion for taxpayers, but the fact remains that he raised taxes and fees alongside Governor Abercrombie over $833 million, and has even supported a tax on pensions and raising taxes on all the goods and services Hawaii families buy. Senator Ige's policies over the past four years have left Hawaii with some of the highest costs and the worst taxes in the country and it is clear a new direction is needed." --Hawaii Republican Party Communications Advisor Ted Kwong

BACKGROUND:

"I rejected tax increases. I cut budget requests by a billion dollars from the administration. I made tough decisions to balance the budget for the last four years." (Senator David Ige, KITV Gubernatorial Debate, 9/30/14)

Senator Ige Voted For And Governor Abercrombie Signed Over $833 Million Of Tax Increases Into Law Since 2011, Including Taxes And Fees On Car Ownership. (Jorge Martin and Max Velthoven, "Tax Increases Enacted by Democrat Governors Since 2011," Americans for Tax Reform, 5/9/14)

Senator Ige Tried To Raise The General Excise Tax 25% In His Committee In 2011, But Members Revolted. “Ways and Means chair David Ige, who supported the GET tax hike and the removal of the exemptions, said exemptions will generate just $191 million. Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, D-North Shore, lead the effort to kill the tax hike. He asked fellow Senators to split the bill so only the exemptions remained. In a dramatic and unusual twist, 10 Democrat Senate members went against their chair to kill the tax hike.” (“Rebellion in the Senate Kills GE Tax Hike Proposal,” Hawaii Reporter, 4/7/11)

• “Tomorrow morning the Senate Ways and Means Committee will hear a bill — HB 793 — that includes both a GET increase and the suspension of exemptions. The two options involve the largest potential sources of new revenue to close a projected two-year budget deficit estimated at about $1.3 billion. The bill would raise the general excise tax — the state’s largest source of revenue — by 1 percentage point for two years, roughly a 25 percent increase.” (Derrick DePledge and B.J. Reyes, “Budget talk turns to tax,” Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4/5/11)
• “A few senators have privately questioned why the Senate has forced a politically sensitive GET debate when both Abercrombie and the House appear adamant. The tax has not been raised statewide since 1965, and, because of its broad application and regressive nature, a potential increase causes public outcry every time it comes up as an option.” (Derrick DePledge and B.J. Reyes, “Budget talk turns to tax,” Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4/5/11)

Ige Tried To Push Back But His Fellow Democrats Refused To Budge. “Realizing the tax hike might be defeated, Ige tried to delay the vote for two hours. Senators said the chair tried to postpone the vote so several committee members would be unable to vote because they would be in other committee hearings. But the majority, who took a brief recess and met outside, then called for the vote.” (“Rebellion in the Senate Kills GE Tax Hike Proposal,” Hawaii Reporter, 4/7/11)

Senator Ige Also Sponsored A Measure To Tax Seniors' Pensions. (SB438, 1/17/03)

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Ige Fact Check

News release from Aiona Campaign October 1, 2014

KITV-Civil Beat Debate Exposes Ige Claims & Faulted Record

Despite 30 years as a legislator, including recently partnering with Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie, Senator David Ige claims he will bring a “new way.” This flies in the face of overwhelming tolls on Hawai‘i’s people: highest cost of living and the nation’s worst taxes, many approved through Ige as Chairman of Ways and Means.

Meanwhile Republican Duke Aiona has established policy initiatives that detail solutions without raising taxes.

FACT CHECK: Ige Claims to Increase Education Dollars

As Chair of Ways & Means, the budget for Department of Education (DOE) was gutted by $73 million in cuts. To make matters worse the Weighted Student Formula dropped $150 per student. Both add up to four percentage point losses for our Hawai‘i keiki.

Yet Ige claims to have “increased the funds that went directly into the schools and into the classroom”?

Aiona’s policies work from day one as Governor to make sure that education remains a top priority so Hawai‘i keiki are prepared for the global knowledge-based economy and naturally competitive industries locally.

FACT CHECK: Ige Claims to Increase Prison Spending

In 2014, Ige cut Department of Public Safety’s portion of the General Fund by $20.5 million. During last night’s debate, Ige claimed “a new way forward” for prisons that would deal with outdated facilities. Impossible with $20.5 million less. 

Former Family Court judge Duke Aiona appreciates the value of Hawai‘i’s public safety system and its employees. “It’s about leadership!” Aiona stated boldly as he then detailed speaking with prison guards and ACO’s, before trying to implement a strategy for much-needed solutions.

FACT CHECK: Ige Claims to Increase Government-Union Cooperation

Though there were others, a final fact check reveals that Ige claimed that state government and unions agree on 90% of issues. However, Hawai‘i Health Care System (HHCS) proves otherwise.

Aiona read a column printed in the newspaper earlier that morning, quoting Randy Perreira, Hawaii Government Employees Association chief, profanely exclaiming the differences between the unions and government objectives.

Perhaps Ige is simply beholden to the unions that support him, however, this shows how he is unprepared to represent the people and taxpayers of Hawai’i in labor negotiations coming in 2016. 

Truth Check: Aiona Brings Instant Change & Immediate Balance

“The message is clear, voters want leadership,” Duke Aiona concluded, “and can’t have more of the same! Leadership is not a title, but a disposition and attitude. I humbly ask for your vote for Governor 2014.”

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Democrat David Ige Clear Choice In KITV Gubernatorial Debate

News Release from Ige Campaign

Honolulu, HI  (September 30, 2014)  Democratic candidate for Governor, David Ige, once again illustrated his straightforward, comprehensive, accountable leadership approach to addressing major issues impacting the state in tonight’s KITV gubernatorial debate. David reinforced why he is the clear choice to lead Hawaii as its top executive for the next four years. Among many topics, David focused on several points important to the health, safety and well-being of all of us.

Ige shared his role in the Legislature as one of the biggest advocates of the Kupuna Caucus and doubling funding for Kupuna Caucus programs over the last three years. He has advocated for changes to Medicare and Medicaid to provide funding for homecare services, allowing our kupuna to age in place.

He reiterated his support of investing in our children through the public schools and channeling these resources directly to each school and classroom. Democrat David Ige knows that a thriving educational system is the foundation of strong communities and a strong economy by providing an educated workforce.

Ige stated that he believes the state must closely regulate the use of pesticides, and that protecting our drinking water is a top priority. To further protect our environment, he will support efforts to improve our electric grid so residents can use all the renewable energy they want. He will continue to fund programs to battle the growing invasive species problem.

David closed the debate by thanking residents across the state for opening their homes, hearts and communities as he has campaigned for Governor. He said he appreciates every opportunity to sit down, share stories and mostly discuss what makes Hawaii special.

Growing up in a family of six brothers in Pearl City, Senator Ige truly understands the importance of a strong work ethic as both of his parents worked to support their family. He brings honesty and integrity to his leadership style and decision making, and that was clear on this evening’s debate.

Democrat Senator Ige has agreed to nine more debates and forums, a total of 14 all together, to offer the public many opportunities to hear his positions.