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Posted: Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 4:52 AM HST

Hawaii lawmakers approving smaller taxes and fees

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii representatives are advancing bills that would charge businesses a $20 fee on many government transactions, raise oil taxes and increase car rental fees. The House considered the tax and fee hikes Tuesday as it tries to add up enough money to plug the state's projected $1.2 billion budget shortfall. Other bills would tax timeshare rental units, eliminate tax exemptions and limit the amount of hotel tax revenue that goes to the counties. Large, widespread tax increases were not approved, although they could be revived later this year. Those major tax measures would have raised hundreds of millions of dollars by increasing the general excise tax and taking hotel tax money from the counties for use by the state. (Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved)