HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle on Tuesday said that the public should not have to deal with another tax hike because of the increase in cost for a rail transit system.
Oahu's proposed rail transit project now is expected to cost either $3.6 billion or $4.6 billion. That is a 20 percent increase from what Mayor Mufi Hannemann originally projected.
Lingle said she has not yet seen the city's just-released transit plans.
"I don't know if there is any support for any further tax increase among anyone at the Legislature," she said.
To fund the transit project, Honolulu residents this January will pay a 0.5 percent increase in the excise tax charged on all goods and services.
Previous Stories: - October 30, 2006: Study Recommends Rail Transit; Cost Escalates
- September 10, 2006: Transit Trips Upset Taxpayers
- July 6, 2006: State Plans Freeway Interchange Over Bus Center
- June 7, 2006: Mayor Accuses State Of Delaying Transit Tax Collection
- March 23, 2006: City Releases Maps Of Possible Transit Routes, Stops
- January 22, 2006: Mayor Inspects Rail Systems For Oahu Transit Alternatives
- December 2, 2005: Abercrombie: Corruption Accusations Could Derail Transit Project
- August 23, 2005: Honolulu Mayor Signs Transit Tax Hike
- August 10, 2005: City Council Approves General Excise Tax Hike
- August 2, 2005: City Council Advances Transit Tax Hike
- July 11, 2005: Lawmakers, Lingle Reach Agreement On Transit Tax Bill
- July 8, 2005: Tax Hike Could Be More Than You Think
- July 6, 2005: Supporters Push Lingle To Sign Tax Bill
- June 2, 2005: Governor Not Sure About Excise Tax Hike
- May 18, 2005: Oahu Excise Tax Hike For Transit Moves Step Closer
- May 12, 2005: Early Indication Shows Excise Tax Hike Certain
- April 29, 2005: Lawmakers Give Counties 1/2 Percent Excise Tax Hike
- April 27, 2005: Demonstrators Protest Proposed Tax Increase
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