DIRECTOR OF TAXATION TO ADDRESS GOVERNOR'S EAST HAWAI`I COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2008

HILO – The Governor’s East Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the Hawai‘i Innovation Center Conference Room (the old Bank of Hawai‘i building), located at 117 Keawe Street in Hilo.  The public is invited to attend.

Kurt Kawafuchi, director, Department of Taxation, will discuss the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s tax relief proposals for the 2008 legislative session.  Kawafuchi will take questions from the community and council following his presentation.

The Administration is proposing a targeted package of tax relief measures totaling $102.1 million over two years ($42.6 million in FY09 and $59.5 million in FY10) to help ease the high cost of living for Hawai‘i residents.  The measures include providing an additional tax exemption for families with children, increasing the dependent care credit for families with children or aging parents, reducing the tax burden some seniors must pay on their income during retirement, providing a refundable tax credit for modifying a home to accommodate an aging or disabled family member, and helping parents save for their child’s college education.  In addition, taxpayers once again qualify for a one-time tax refund as mandated under the State Constitution because of the large surplus over the past two years. 

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government.  The East Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues, public priorities, and recommendations for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s East Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council are Ken Ah Lo, Andy Baclig, Julie Hugo, Dianne Morgado, Alton Okinaka, Greg Ruhland, Norman Stahl, Carol VanCamp and Jennifer Zelko.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call 974-6262.  For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov. 

####

For more information, contact:
Dylan Nonaka
Governor’s East Hawai‘i Liaison
Phone: 974-6262

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043