Higher wages, tax break on table

Lawmakers want to avert an increase in the unemployment insurance rate while boosting workers’ hourly pay

By Derrick DePledge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 03, 2013

~~<p>The sting of a minimum-wage increase on Hawaii businesses may be salved by a reduction in the unemployment insurance tax.</p>
<p>The state House and Senate are expected to exchange legislation this week that would increase the state's $7.25-an-hour minimum wage for the first time since 2007 and also avert a scheduled rise in the unemployment insurance tax rate that would save businesses $66 million.</p>
~~

The sting of a minimum-wage increase on Hawaii businesses may be salved by a reduction in the unemployment insurance tax.

The state House and Senate are expected to exchange legislation this week that would increase the state's $7.25-an-hour minimum wage for the first time since 2007 and also avert a scheduled rise in the unemployment insurance tax rate that would save businesses $66 million. Login for more...