Institute shifts focus to county councils

from Grassroot Institute, June 9, 2023

Across the state, lawmaking continues at the county level, and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has been active in supporting the good and fending off the bad.

Good measures in general are those that will lower the cost of living and increase economic freedom and government transparency and accountability.

Recent testimonies submitted by the Institute include:

Honolulu County

>> Resolution 2023-33: Adjusting property tax rates could help renters

>> Bill 14 (2023): Property tax credit could be higher

>>Bill 56 (2022), CD2: Increase amount for permit exemptions to ease backlog

>> Bill 56 (2022), CD1: Expand permit exemptions for renovations and maintenance

Hawaii County

>> Bill 28: Provide tax relief to homeowners, long-term rentals on ag lands

Kauai County

>> Communication 2023-118: Kauai can afford property tax reduction for homesteads

Maui County

>> Bill 49 (2023): GET surcharge will affect Maui’s cost of living

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events

As we look back at the progress the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has made this year in becoming the most active voice in public policy in the state, we also are looking ahead to the rest of the year.

We invite you to look ahead as well and join us at our upcoming events concerning some of the issues we are focused on.

IN JULY, we will be partnering with Marschall Smith, executive director of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission to discuss healthcare issues and how joining the IMLC stands to help Hawaii solve its severe doctor shortage. Also on the bill will be a representative of the Hawaii Medical Association.

Two presentations will take place, one on July 27 on Maui at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and the other on July 28 on Oahu at a private club in Honolulu. Look for a separate mailing that will include more details.

IN SEPTEMBER, our guest speaker will be Connor Boyack, founder and president of the Libertas Institute in Utah. He also is a world-renowned author of 40 books that have sold nearly 5 million copies — most as part of the "Tuttle Twins" series for children that introduces young readers to the ideas of a free society and now is in its second season as a popular cartoon series.

Named one of Utah's most politically influential people by The Salt Lake Tribune, Boyack's leadership has led to changing more than 100 laws covering privacy, government transparency, property rights, drug policy, education, personal freedom and more.

The events featuring Boyack will be on Sept. 19 on Oahu at the Japanese Cultural Center and on Sept. 20 on Maui at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Look for the details of those presentations in your email inbox too.