State tax collections are below Council on Revenue projections this year and lawmakers are looking elsewhere to make up the difference. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
The Senate is attempting to recoup funds by reducing sweeping income tax cuts that went into effect last year and by reevaluating tax credits for things like renewable energy.
The state is looking at ways to fill holes in the state budget due to federal funding impacts. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on a measure that would pause the state's plan to reduce income taxes.