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The 2010 Legislative Session has adjourned.
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Send a thank you note to the legislators.
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The following are identified as the top four Chamber issues:
1. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: Support unemployment insurance tax legislation that will mitigate the impacts of the tax increase.
2. EIS: Support balanced and fair legislation that will remove the uncertainty and provide clarity to the process, as well as opposing a wholesale revision of Chamber 343.
3. HEALTH INITIATIVES: Support legislation that encourages health technology initiatives and quality healthcare.
4. GET: Opposing a GET increase
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It's been a couple of weeks since the legislative session adjourned. Although hearings and meetings have ended, work has not slowed down. The Business Advocacy Department has been wrapping things up as well as reviewing bills that were sent to the Governor.
This session, as many would describe it, was one of the most challenging ones. The Legislature was tasked to balance the State's budget that faced a $1.2 billion shortfall. After much deliberation, the budget was balanced through some tax increases, budget cuts, special fund transfers and other revenue and expense sources. Although the Legislature did pass some tax bills, it did not pass legislation that would have increased the GET and other tax bills, imposed workplace regulation requirements, and other regulatory bills, all which would have increased the cost of doing business.
We would like to thank Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and Speaker Calvin Say for their leadership. Also, we appreciate Senate Ways and Means Committee chair Donna Mercado Kim and House Finance Committee chair Marcus Oshiro and the committee members for their hard work on the budget. Additionally, we are appreciative of all of the legislators and staff for recognizing that this is one of the toughest periods for businesses and any additional regulations would have greatly undermine doing business and jobs in Hawaii.
Although the session has ended, it's never too early to start the preparation for next year's legislative session. During the interim, we will ask for your input. Please voice your concerns and be a part of the process.
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If you are interested in attending a committee meeting, please sign-up with Sherry at smenor-mcnamara@cochawaii.org.
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Hawaii Green Business Program
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii is a partner of the “Hawaii Green Business Program,” a local network of public and private agencies that work together to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way. (more)
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Become a High School Mentor
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii is proud to be a strong supporter of the Hawaii State DOE's Senior Project Program. The Chamber has entered into a public-private partnership with the DOE in helping to provide mentors from the business community to high school seniors. (more)
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