ACTION ALERT: Unbelievable - Legislature DOUBLES DOWN on estate tax breaks for the rich. SUBMIT IN OPPOSITION HB2653 NOW!
We are flabbergasted. In addition to the House Finance committee passing out SB3289 yesterday, now the Senate Ways and Means committee has resurrected a dead House bill, HB2653, that does the same thing: delivering an estate tax giveaway to literally the very wealthiest among us.
To do this, WAM waived Senate rules to jam HB2653 into an already-noticed hearing with just 24-hours notice. Why are lawmakers going to such extraordinary lengths to give tax breaks to the rich? Powerful businesses are lining up to push the lie that trickle-down economics works, and lawmakers are listening to them.
We need lawmakers to hear we, the people, the vast majority of whom support higher taxes on the super rich to fund our future.
Please submit testimony in OPPOSITION to HB2653 tonight, or by 9 a.m. tomorrow morning at the latest.
Sample Testimony:
I am testifying in strong opposition to HB2653, which would more than double the amount that is exempt from the estate tax from $5.5 million for singles and $11 million for couples, up to $13 million singles / $27 million couples.
The bill would also entirely exempt family-owned businesses from the estate tax. But again, the estate tax only impact multi-millionaires. We are not talking about local small businesses in the true sense of the word, but rather powerful and influential local corporations.
This is a highly dangerous bill that would only help the absolute wealthiest among us, while doing nothing for struggling workers, their families or the average small business. The estate tax helps prevent oligarchy from forming, a direct threat to democracy. Gutting it like this means that wealth will only accumulate further in the hands of the super wealthy. We know after decades of data that the "trickle-down economics" theory is a lie—but that's exactly what this bill represents.
The bill would cost the state tens of millions of dollars per year at a time when lawmakers have been telling the public there isn't enough money for critical programs like Universal Free School Meals, the Keiki Credit or Paid Family Leave. It is unconscionable to even be considering a bill like this. I urge you to defer this bill.
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This will cost the state tens of millions of dollars at a time when we—apparently—can't afford to pay for free school meals for kids, a Keiki Credit for working families, Paid Family Leave, or rent relief for struggling tenants to prevent evictions and homelessness.
This is insulting, and even worse it is terrible public policy. We know, after decades of research, that trickle-down economics does not work. And yet that is precisely the argument made in the committee hearing yesterday to justify a tax break that will purely help multi-millionaires.
With only a pair of House readings and a possible conference committee to stop this bill from advancing to the governor, the need for public pressure on State House Reps is now urgent. Please use the button below to take action. If you've already sent the email, please make the patch-through call to your rep now. You can also edit the email to send a more personalized note.
Consider writing an op-ed or an LTE in your paper of choice, and please send this email to every friend and family member you know who might want to help stop this dangerous, anti-democratic tax giveaway for the rich.
We've also updated our legislator contact tool below to now send emails to both your State Rep and your State Senator in opposition to each bill, respectively. You can now make patch-through calls as well to both your lawmakers; a simple script is included in the tool. Please take this action using the button below. It is imperative to stopping these harmful bills in their tracks.
Consider writing an op-ed or an LTE in your paper of choice, and please send this email to every friend and family member you know who might want to help stop this dangerous, anti-democratic tax giveaway for the rich.”
View HAPA’s 2024 Fair & Sustainable Food Systems Policy Agenda
Join us this session in supporting a broad array of bills designed to support local farmers, food producers, increase local food production, address inequities in our food system such as food insecurity, and support regenerative and indigenous farming/food production practices.
See more information below about HAPA’s 2024 FSFS policy agenda below and take action in support of these Fair & Sustainable Food System policy priorities!
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About Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action
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The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is deeply committed to championing social, economic, and environmental justice throughout Hawaiʻi. Recognizing the interconnected nature of food systems, we underscore that the challenges plaguing these systems are not isolated from broader social, economic, and environmental concerns. We believe in an integrated approach that addresses these interdependencies to create a just, equitable, and sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
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