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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:33 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2009

Tech tax credit supporters ask Lingle to veto measure

Proponents of the state's high-technology investment tax credit law known as Act 221 are asking Gov. Linda Lingle to veto a measure that would restrict trading of the tax credits with investors outside of the state.

The Hawaii Science and Technology Council is urging its members to call and e-mail Lingle's office asking for a veto of the measure, which has passed both the state House and Senate. The group has fought major changes to the law, which allows trading of the 100 percent tax credits.

"Tell her that it undermines the innovation economy, kills jobs, kills companies and kills Hawaii's future," the Council said in an e-mail to members, saying the amended law would cut into local technology companies' access to capital and hurt the industry.

Lawmakers voted to change the law as they looked for ways to deal with the state's budget shortfall. The credits currently cost the state more than $130 million a year.