Poll: State Taxes Should Require a Super Majority for Passage

News Release from NFIB HONOLULU, Hawaii, Jan. 16, 2013

The representative group for Hawaii’s small-business owners today released the results of its annual survey.

Every year, the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s voice of small business for seven decades, polls its members on state and national issues vital to their ability to own, operate and grow their enterprises. Results from the poll center NFIB’s lobbying positions in Washington, D.C. and in Honolulu.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, 97 percent of all businesses in Hawaii are small business which employ 55 percent of the state’s, private-sector workforce. NFIB has more than 1,000 members in Hawaii and releases its annual results after a statistically valid sample is reached. The 2013 NFIB State Member Ballot asked four questions:

Should the Legislature require the state Public Utilities Commission to approve energy projects that further the state’s renewable energy goals even if it costs consumers more?

• Yes 19 percent
• No 75 percent
• Undecided 6 percent

Should the Legislature adopt the Trespasser Responsibility Act in response to recent recommended tort law changes that expand the liability of private property owners?

• Yes 58 percent
• No 32 percent
• Undecided 10 percent

Should the state Constitution be amended to require a super majority rather than a simple majority vote by the Legislature to enact a tax increase?

• Yes 71 percent
• No 19 percent
• Undecided 10 percent

Should Hawaii require unemployed individuals who are recertifying benefits to list businesses to which they have applied for a job?

• Yes 94 percent
• No 4 percent
• Undecided 2 percent

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.