Governor proposes increase in hotel room tax

Abercrombie's budget does not require more tourism revenue, he says,but he wants discussion

By Derrick DePledge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 31, 2013

~~<p>Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said he does not need tax increases to balance his two-year budget draft, but the governor has proposed a significant boost in the hotel room tax to start a conversation about the state's long-term revenue needs.</p>
<p>The governor's bill would increase the hotel room tax to 11.25 percent in July, up from 9.25 percent, a potential tax hike that caught some in the tourism industry — and a few of his own allies — by surprise.</p>
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Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said he does not need tax increases to balance his two-year budget draft, but the governor has proposed a significant boost in the hotel room tax to start a conversation about the state's long-term revenue needs.

The governor's bill would increase the hotel room tax to 11.25 percent in July, up from 9.25 percent, a potential tax hike that caught some in the tourism industry — and a few of his own allies — by surprise. Login for more...