Hawaii State Government

... Does the state have a responsibility to “go without,” if that would be better for the people? ....

... lawmakers are allowed to waive the state’s spending cap by a two-thirds vote, which they routinely do ....

... Tired of runaway government taxes, spending and debt?  Learn what we can do about it from budget expert Daniel Mitchell ....

... Decades of studies have shown that publicly financed stadiums, even those that include housing and retail projects, do not bring in enough money to offset public investments ....

... Gov. Ige vetoed HB1147, which the Legislature approved via an illegal practice, but also vetoed SB3089, which was a setback for liberty ....

... no mention of a fuel dock ....

... FY2022 corporate income tax collections up 60.1% from the previous year, IIT collections up 22.3% from the previous year, and General Fund tax collections up 34.8% ....

... In addition, there are six bills that are becoming law without the governor’s signature. ...

... Ige has until July 12th to veto ....

... “Hawaiʻi is the only state in the country that doesn’t have a centralized, independent state law enforcement agency. The new department will allow more efficient and effective emergency response, criminal law enforcement, investigations and homeland security operations” ....

... The total estimated cost of all six phases is $315M to $470M ....

... tip of the iceberg ....

... Earlier this week, Gov. David Ige announced his “intent to veto” SB3089, a bill that aims to reform the state’s emergency powers law ....

... Asuncion’s current term on the PUC began on July 1, 2020 and ends on June 30, 2026 .... 

... SB3089 would ensure checks and balances during times of emergency ....

 ... including cash bail and Hu Honua -- but not Mauna Kea ....

... Hawaii’s policymakers haven’t given up the dream of regulating it into oblivion ....

... Hawaii per-capita pension liability $39,939.43 ....

... Hawaii improved significantly in 2021 after initially being hard hit by the pandemic ....

... the good, the bad and the ugly ....

... efforts to reform the state’s emergency powers law; reduce barriers to housing; bring taxes, debt and state spending under control ....

... Legislature Passes Bills Supporting Senate Priorities in a Historic Legislative Session ....

... praiseworthy was the passage of a bill that will limit the state’s emergency powers, if the governor lets it become law ....

... Here’s a list of some of the eyebrow-raising bills that have gone to the fifth floor ....

... 8 of the 14 bills identified by Commission were adopted by 2022 Legislature ....

... bills to sign or veto ....

... Common Cause Hawaii 2022 Legislative Wrap-Up ....

... Now the important deadlines are June 27, 2022, when the Governor needs to give notice of intent to veto a bill, and July 12, 2022, which is the deadline for the Governor to sign or veto any bills ....

... The Hawaii State Legislature has passed the following bills and resolution concerning the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) and Sunshine Law ....

... the draft report upon which our comments were based was missing findings, had numerous placeholders, and was missing complete sections altogether ....

... Housing bills that will be sent to the Governor for his signature include ....

... An operating budget of $8.7 billion in general funds and $16.9 billion through all methods of funding (MOF) for FY23 ... CIP budget of $6 billion (all MOF) for FY22 and FY23 ....

... What one hand might be giving, the other might be taking away by spending money on things that could come back to haunt us ....

... These funds were released in February and March of 2022 ....

... A bill to limit the governor’s emergency power is nearing the legislative finish line ....

... DLNR Land Division failed to bill/collect the proper base rents for the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel lease and failed to collect over $500,000 ....

... Numerous bills aimed at increasing our taxes have been shelved, and some good measures actually have a chance of passing ....

... New procedures have been put in place to access the Capitol building ....

... The purpose of the Commission is to dissipate reform energy in order to preserve the status quo. ... 

... Hawaii’s contributions have fallen below minimum actuarial standards since 2011, which has caused the state’s funding level to decline from 94% in 2000 to 55% as of 2019 ....

... SB3089 SD2 HD1 would amend the state’s emergency-management statute to clarify that the powers granted for emergency purposes should not be inconsistent with the Hawaii Constitution, require justification for the suspension of laws and place limits on such suspensions, and allow the Legislature or county councils to terminate an emergency, in part or in whole, by a two-thirds vote. ...

... the dust hasn't settled yet ....

... Low taxes, school choice help inform ALEC's ranking of best, worst governors ....

... the ALOHA homes program as currently envisioned in this bill would result in an expensive, nonsustainable government project that would fail to effectively assist those it is intended to help ....

... several hundred attendees were treated to good food, inspirational speakers, terrific entertainment and great camaraderie ....

... Costales fills the vacancy left by former Rep. Ty Cullen, who resigned on Feb. 8, 2022 ....

... We reviewed 104 Senate and House bills introduced during the 2022 legislative session proposing 63 special and revolving funds.  None satisfied the criteria set forth in section 23-11, HRS ....

... one month after the arrest of English and Cullen, all state facilities managed by DAGS will reopen to the general public ....

... The practice of gut-and-replace allowed state lawmakers to pass laws without a full set of public hearings ....

... The in-person services are available Monday through Friday (except holidays), 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ....