Aloha Kailua Chamber of Commerce Members & Friends~
Puna Nam, KCOC President 2010, would like to share with you the following:
(I
nstruction on how to testify and submit testimony are shown at the bottom.
You can use original testimony, but make sure to address the testimony to
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE.)
ACTION ALERT!
TO: HHLA Members & Staff
FROM: Murray Towill
Re: Unemployment Insurance Tax Bill Hearing on Friday in House Finance
The Unemployment Insurance Tax Bill is being heard this
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5th.
We urge you to submit testimony on this measure that will have an
impact on Unemployment Insurance Taxes that you pay. The following is
information from the Chamber of Commerce.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
MURRAY TOWILL, President
The Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association
2270 Kalakaua Ave. #1506
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 923-0407
Email:
mtowill@hawaiihotels.org
FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
A hearing (Hearing Notice) has been scheduled on
HB 2169 HD1,
the Unemployment Insurance Tax bill,
for this Friday, February 5 at 1:30 p.m.
at the State Capitol in Room 308.
This is the second hearing of four, but
each one is equally important in getting your voice heard.
More than 100 testimonies were submitted at the last hearing. Let's exceed
this number! We urge you to submit testimony and if possible, testify at
the hearing so that a strong statement can be made to the committee. Our
united efforts could result in a UI bill passing the Legislature before March.
Although the current draft provides some tax assistance, the Chamber
believes it does not go far enough to help reduce the "tax shock" and
safeguard the statewide unemployment rate. Therefore, we are asking the
ommittee to amend the bill. A recap of the House Labor Committee's
amendments were explained in the last LAC e-newsletter.
Below are directions on submitting and providing oral testimony. For your
convenience, a testimony template (see below)is provided. Feel free to cut
and paste off the template.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Sherry Menor-McNamara at
Phone:(808) 545-4300
Email:
smenor-mcnamara@cochawaii.org.
DIRECTIONS ON SUBMITTING TESTIMONY
Testimony will NOT be accepted via e-mail. Members can submit testimony
via:
1. On-line at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony/
OR
2. Faxed to (808) 586-6001 or 1-800-535-3859 (neighbor islands)
You may submit testimony up until the time of the hearing.
DIRECTIONS ON ORAL TESTIMONY
The following provides some information for those attending the hearing:
The UI bill is the second on the agenda., so contingent on the number of
testifiers, the hearing should end by 3:30.
You are not required to stay for the entire hearing and may leave after
you provide testimony. The order of testifiers is based on the order the
committee receives written testimonies.
Metered parking is available at the Capitol. Discounted parking is
available at Alii Place on Alakea or at any downtown municipal parking
lots.
Tell your "story" however, please be courteous and professional.
If possible, please e-mail me a copy of your testimony and let me know if
you plan to attend the hearing. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and support. Together we
can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Sherry Menor-McNamara
[COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
Testimony to the House Committee on Finance
Friday, February 5, 2010; 1:30 p.m.
Conference Room 308
RE: HOUSE BILL 2169 HD1 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
Chair Oshiro, Vice Chair Lee and Members of the Committee:
My name is [FULL NAME] and my company is [NAME AND
DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY INCLUDING # OF EMPLOYEES]. I appreciate the
efforts being made by the Legislature in addressing the unemployment insurance tax
increase. I support HB 2169 HD1 with amendments.
[STATE HOW THE INCREASE WILL IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS INCLUDING POTENTIAL JOB
LOSSES, BENEFITS, AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS COST PER EMPLOYEE, IF
POSSIBLE].
Although the current draft of the bill provides some tax
assistance, I feel that lowering the schedule to another level in 2011
will alleviate some of the hardships and help businesses plan expenses over a
larger period of time as well as minimize the impact on jobs, wage or
benefits reductions.
To help reduce the "tax shock" and safeguard the statewide unemployment rate, please amend the bill by
holding the tax rate schedule toD in 2010 and F in 2011, permanently set the taxable wage base at 90% and
maintain the adequate reserve multiplier at 1.0.
This will reduce the impact of the tax increase on
businesses. Extending the tax assistance beyond 2010 will save jobs,
preserve businesses and spur the economy by keeping more dollars flowing
into the economy through wages and purchases.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. If you
have any questions, please contact me at [FULL CONTACT INFORMATION].
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