“Act 221” (commentary) in Hawaii is a program designed to develop the high tech industry in the State through tax incentives for investors both here and on the mainland. Unfortunately, pending legislation SB199 threatens to kill Act 221 and strike a major blow to the growing industry. Below is my letter to Governor Linda Lingle asking her to veto it. Please tell the Governor why you think she needs to veto SB199 (call 808-586-0034 or email governor.lingle@hawaii.gov and linda.smith@hawaii.gov).

Dear Governor Lingle,

I am writing to request that you veto SB199 and show your support of the high tech industry and economic diversity in Hawaii. As an employee at a high tech company, not an owner, I do not receive any tax credits from Act 221; however, I recognize the importance they have for a growing industry that has so much potential.

I understand concerns about giving tax credits when the budget needs to be reduced and I don’t envy the difficult decisions you need to make. Please recognize, however, that SB199′s disincentives to private investors in an already dismal economy threaten to destroy a number of companies and jobs in which the State has already invested so much time and money. Act 221 was never intended to be a get rich quick scheme for the State or for the companies who benefit from it. Killing Act 221 through SB199 would demonstrate a lack of patience and commitment to developing an industry while perpetuating Hawaii’s reputation for being unfriendly to businesses. We cannot afford to send that message!

On a personal level, dozens of my friends and co-workers have stable, relatively high paying jobs in the high tech industry. We work on contracts and research grants often funded by mainland companies, the DoD, and the federal government. We are not wealthy (as is the perception of everyone who benefits from Act 221), but we work hard and have bought homes, pay taxes, spend money at local businesses, enjoy Hawaii’s great outdoors, and volunteer in our communities and schools. It is critical that these jobs are available in Hawaii if we hope to keep the best and brightest students from leaving the islands after college while also attracting outside talent.

Mahalo for your time and consideration. I hope you will support economic stability, diversity, and growth in Hawaii by vetoing SB199.

Aloha,
Evan Rapoport