In the luau e-mail, I read some comments that are "pro" 221 and some comments that are "con" 221. The newspapers are a good source of information where it comes to telling us what meetings are being held, but it usually ends the story with a "10,000 feet" summation of "what happened" at those meetings. Except for the editorials, newspapers are not supposed to be judgmental,,,, "just state the facts". To really understand the essence of Bill 221, you need to go to the Hawaii web site and look at some of the material that goes with the Bill. Like: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2001/bills/HB175_cd1_.htm http://www.state.hi.us/tax/announce/2001ann14.htm
Nobody is saying that the bill is bad. It is a good thing, and it has been taken advantage of by a number of technology companies. I was at the Bill 221 hearing sponsored by HTTA at the capitol, and the companies that were represented gave testimonials that spoke well of the bill and the help that it gave them, but it was expected that their presentation would be favorable to the purpose of the meeting. I have not heard of any small startup companies that have made any major decisions based on the Bill's tax incentives. I would like to hear from folks that work for, or own small startups that have benefited from this bill in a way that actually influenced the course of their company's growth. Reading through some of the bill's content, it was interesting how many exemptions were being allowed for a company considered to be a QHTB (qualifying high technology business). It struck me that some of it almost equated to "free money" A tax credit or stimulus package is one thing, but tax credits that result in credits exceeding the tax liability is another. >From what I read, hear and think, it seems to me like the administration is saying that in this AUSTERE economic period, the bill is just too generous. It's too broad, covers too many things, does not have enough accountability and needs some changes. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Virgil Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 11:02 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [luau] What does Everyone think of ACT221? Thank you Scott. Those words are inspiring words to say the least and provides good ammo on why the State shouldn't change ACT221. I'm beginning to see the light. Yesterday at the HVCA part with Ted Liu proceedings, I stated my opinions about ACT221. Its that I don't support it. I wholeheartedly support its mission and goals and what it aims to accomplish. However, my opinions wasn't received well with some of the members and they kinda looked at me as if I was crazy. What I'm trying to say here is that HTTA and other high tech organizations should put more focus on informing the public and what the goals of ACT221 aims to accomplish and really show the benefits of this law to Hawaii. So far, I see none of that taking place. There are no publications or commercials about ACT2221. Heck if those religious people (forgive me if I offend anyone) were able to come up with a simple video to give to everyone for free, why can't they tech industry which has so much to gain come up with simple, marketing solutions as well? Virgil > As I understand it, there are a few cases of abuse that should be > remedied. This does not merit the public smear campaign that the Lingle > administration and now the Star-Bulletin seem to endorse. By smear > campaign I mean publicly berating the entire Act for the offenses of a > few. By doing so, I am yet to see an informed discussion of specific > problems that can be remedied with specific proposals. > > This is a problem. I depend on my newspaper to research both sides of > an issues and offer an investigative report. I am getting propaganda > without proposals. From our Governor, a Republican no less, I expect a > good reason why we need to take more money out of our economy and put it > in the Government. This belies the supply-side philosophy her party and > presumably she embraces. > > I think that the Act is amazing. Nothing has motivated me to try harder > to create a technology company than this. My motivation is experiencing > undue anxiety, though, because I do not know what steps my Government > will take to change this Act. Business hates uncertainty, and Lingle is > creating *way* too much uncertainty. She needs to suggest exactly what > needs to be changed and then propose it. Period. > > What we have now are sweeping criticisms of an Act that is supposedly > corrupt and is lacking proof of success. If our media and our > Government would spend the same amount of time researching and reporting > specific abuses and successes, we would be far more informed and capable > of taking action. The FUD cloud we are now in benefits only the > decision-makers. > > I think Act 221 is visionary for a State that depends on the good will > and generosity of complete strangers who decide to travel here and pay > inflated resort prices for a vacation. There is no sustainability in > this. What Act 221 needs is a visionary leader to implement it. > > scott > > _______________________________________________ > LUAU mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://videl.ics.hawaii.edu/mailman/listinfo/luau _______________________________________________ LUAU mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://videl.ics.hawaii.edu/mailman/listinfo/luau
