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Posted: Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 8:46 AM HST

Hawaii legislators oppose tax hike proposals

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii legislators say a consultant's recommendations to raise state taxes would be harmful. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday a majority in the state House opposes recommendations to the Tax Review Commission for new increases, including raising the general excise tax. Philadelphia-based PFM Group recommends increasing the 4 percent general excise tax to 4.5 percent. The group says it should be 5 percent on Oahu because of the surcharge for the rail project. More than two dozen lawmakers oppose the recommendations in written testimony. They say increases would be detrimental to residents and businesses.