Oral Testimony from Dr. Akina (see written comments below):
To: House Committee on Economic Development & Business
Rep. Derek S.K. Kawakami, Chair
Rep. Sam Satoru Kong, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.
RE: HB 1913 — RELATING TO TAXATION
Comments Only
Dear Chair and Committee Members:
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its comments on HB 1913, which would exempt small businesses with an annual gross income of less than $50,000 from the general excise tax (GET).
The intent of this bill is to help promote small business and entrepreneurship in the state—an important principle in a wider strategy to improve the state’s economy as a whole. By targeting the GET, the legislation is well-tailored to address one of the most significant barriers to business in the state.
The most recent edition of the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitive Index[1] ranks Hawaii last among all states for its sales tax burden, a rating that significantly contributes to a mediocre economic outlook ranking. In a similar way, the Small Business Policy Index[2], which compares state policies and costs related to small business and entrepreneurship puts Hawaii at a dismal 47th, thanks largely to our high consumption taxes. In the same survey, Hawaii was ranked 50th in a ranking of states by sales, gross receipts, and excise taxes.
The broad reach of the GET has had a negative effect on our local businesses, saddling them with a burden that they would not face in other states. Some estimates place the cost of the GET on Hawaii business as high as $1 billion.
Will it work? The language of the bill states that the loss in tax revenues should be offset by the increased economic activity spurred by the bill. In fact, that statement is backed up by available data on states with the highest levels of economic growth:
“Real economic growth from 2010 to 2013 among the top 25 states ranked on the 2014 “Small Business Policy Index” averaged 2.4 percent, which was 33 percent faster than the 1.8 percent average rate for the bottom 25 states. The 2.4 percent rate also was notably faster (20 percent faster) than the 2.0 percent rate for the nation as a whole”[3]
This bill is an important step towards improving the state business climate. As part of a broader approach that considers the regulatory and tax barriers that inhibit economic growth in Hawaii, it can make a real difference in the state’s economic outlook and the happiness and prosperity of the state as a whole.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit our comments.
[1] Available at http://www.alec.org/app/uploads/2015/10/RSPS_8th_Edition-Final.pdf.
[2] Available at http://www.sbecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SBPI2014Final.pdf.
[3] Keating, Raymond J. “Small Business Policy Index 2014.” Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. (December 2014). Available at: http://www.sbecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SBPI2014Final.pdf
