Honolulu taxpayers can expect to shell out hundreds of dollars more each year in taxes and government fees as many in the state of Hawaii scramble to maintain revenues during the deepening economic recession.
Governor Linda Lingle is proposing a 10-cent bump in the state gasoline tax and vehicle fee increases that would cost taxpayers 170 US dollars more a year, and in July, a general excise tax exemption on gasoline expires.
This means consumers will be charged 4.5 percent of their purchases at the pump on top of federal, state and city gas taxes calculated into the per-gallon price.
The Honolulu Advertiser reports the hikes are taking place at a time when residents are in the middle of multiyear sewer and water rate increases and facing job layoffs, wage cuts and other financial woes.
