The head of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii says Gov. David Ige’s proposal to give every resident a $100 rebate may run into headwinds in the Legislature.
Ige unveiled the proposal, which would cost the state about $110 million, in his State of the State address Monday.
Tax Foundation President Tom Yamachika says the rebate is a good idea, but the reality of the state’s many needs may make passage of that idea difficult.
"Like there are maintenance backlogs at the University of Hawaiʻi, several schools. The airport has been cited as a source of embarrassment. There’s lots of stuff out there, in addition to the huge waiting list on the Hawaiian Home Lands," Yamachika said.
Both Speaker of the House Scott Saiki and Senate President Ron Kouchi say they are open to such a proposal but would need to see if the state budget could accommodate it.
Ige said the $100 tax refund would work out to $400 for a family of four. Those with more children would get more.
