By Lowell L. Kalapa As the 1998 session winds down, it would be well worthwhile to reflect on the events of the session and the consequences it will have for taxpayers.. While the convening of the Economic Revitalization Task … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa As lawmakers attempt to fashion an economic revitalization tax package, readers may want to pause and reflect or muse over some of the outrageous assertions made over the issue of raising the general excise tax. … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa A caller asked the other day if the Revitalization Task Force tax proposal was indeed the largest tax cut in the history of Hawaii, if not a novel approach to solving the state’s economic problems? … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa It is captivating to watch how positions change in the legislative arena depending on whose toes have been stepped upon and by whom. At the start of the legislative session, those who advocate for the poor … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa As lawmakers race toward adjournment under pressure to pass some sort of tax relief, there are a few measures which raise the question of validity. Unfortunately, the high cost of living and doing … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa Well, the politicos are at it again – find an issue and let them latch onto it in an election year – and politicians seem to have found one with the high cost of gasoline. … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa A review of just the tax bills introduced in this session makes one wonder if our lawmakers are anywhere near earth, let alone Hawaii. One would think that all this talk about the poor economic outlook, … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa Well, the spin doctors are hard at work down at the legislature and in the media as the second half of the legislature goes into high gear.The question taxpayers should be asking is: Are taxpayers being … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa The headline blared the ugly news: “670 Jobs to be Cut.” The folks downtown beat their breasts and shook their heads and agreed amongst themselves that this is just another sign that Hawaii’s economy is … Read More
By Lowell L. Kalapa It has become increasingly apparent that the Economic Revitalization Task Force relied heavily upon the counsel of staff in coming up with their recommendations on how to reform the tax structure of Hawaii as the … Read More