A Talk with Governor Ige

A new law to provide relief to low income workers in Hawai’i was signed today.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.   

Governor David Ige signed House Bill 209 into law, establishing a state earned income tax credit.

“The intent of this legislation is to help Hawai’i’s low and moderate income families keep more of what they earn.  It’s currently estimated that the lowest income households pay 13 percent of their income to state and local taxes, while those in the top income brackets pay less than 8 percent.”

The Governor is busy reviewing 230 bills passed by the Legislature this past session.   So far, he’s signed 48 into law including one that will help inmates.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

In 2015, an estimated 300 inmates completed their sentences and were released into the community.   Many did not have the basic documentation required for re-entry into society.  Governor David Ige signed House Bill 845 into law to correct that.

The state’s chief executive addressed Rotary Club of Honolulu members today during their weekly meeting in Waikiki. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was there and filed this report.