Anti-tax group blasts Lingle

An influential group representing fiscal conservatives criticized Gov. Linda Lingle for signing legislation that will increase the conveyance tax on many home sales.

Grover Norquist, head of Washington, D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform, said Lingle's decision to pass the bill "disappointed taxpayers and fiscal conservatives."

"In signing this unnecessary and destructive tax increase, Governor Lingle has made an unfortunate mistake," Norquist said in a statement.

The bill, known as the Legacy Lands Act, increases the conveyance tax paid on real estate transactions of more than $600,000 and allocates a higher percentage to the Rental Housing Trust Fund.

The higher tax is expected to generate $19 million for affordable housing projects and land conservation.

Lingle, a Republican who campaigned to reduce taxes and increase government efficiency, said her decision to sign the bill was easy to make because of the lack of affordable housing in the state.

"I did what was right for all the people in the state and I put it above my political career," the governor said.

Norquist's group is highly influential in national Republican political circles. While Republican legislators said they disagree with Lingle's decision, none made a point of publicly criticizing the popular governor.

Norquist put Lingle on notice that she is expected to veto the bill that would allow counties to increase the general excise tax to pay for public transportation programs.

"One can only hope that she does not repeat this mistake with the excise tax and uses her veto instead," he said.

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