Lawmakers pass bill to fund Honolulu light rail funding gap
The proposal previously passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. David Ige, who said he expects to sign it after a review.

The proposal previously passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. David Ige, who said he expects to sign it after a review.
Ansaldo Brede

The proposal previously passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. David Ige, who said he expects to sign it after a review.
Ansaldo Brede
HONOLULU — The Hawaiian House of Representatives passed a bill to raise $2.4 billion in taxes for the financially-troubled light rail line planned for Honolulu and nearby suburbs on the last day of a special legislative session, The Free Lance-Star reports.
The proposal previously passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. David Ige, who said he expects to sign it after a review.
The bill would extend a surcharge on the general excise tax — a surcharge now planned through the end of 2027 — for another three years, generating $1 billion for the project. The general excise tax, currently about 4.5% on Oahu, is essentially a business income tax that's often passed on to customers. The bill also would raise the hotel tax statewide by one percentage point to 10.25% for 13 years, through 2030. For the full story, click here.
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