A total of sixteen measures have been enacted thus far.  The Governor has until July 12, 2011 to sign into law all measures that are passed out of the state Senate and the House of Representatives.  The Legislature adjourns on May 5th.

KEY QUESTION:  What will these four organizations and the Abercrombie Administration do with the information they receive about homeless individuals and homeless camps?  Will they attempt to bring the homeless into shelters or will they focus on feeding the homeless in place and “enabling” them to stay on the streets?

...here in the United States, as we face a $14.3 trillion deficit, some are calling for increasing our government's ability to borrow even more money without any concern for spending reform....

With Hawaii now experiencing the highest gasoline prices in history, it is baffling that the politicians in the City government are actually contemplating an increase in the gasoline tax.

Pacific Office Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PCE), a real estate investment trust owning interests in 45 office buildings primarily in Hawaii and California, reported today that it received notice from the NYSE Amex (the “Exchange”) indicating that the Company is not in compliance with the continued listing standards ....

in a House committee, HCR 135 was the victim of “gut and replace”  .... 

Announcement from Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour....

Believing that the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has gone too far in an assault on individual and states rights, a new, national, bipartisan legislative caucus is emerging to take action.

Traditional history courses were torn down in favor of “queer” studies, black studies, Asian studies, women’s studies; language was deconstructed in order to remove its capitalistic foundations; traditional sexual mores were torn asunder in the name of “tolerance.”  President Obama was the result.

How can the people, or even legislators really know what is currently going on financially with the state when the Department of Accounting and General Services takes nearly 2 years to release its comprehensive annual fiscal reports?

Tony Santos, former resident of Hawaii, Farrington High School student, and past Mayor of the City of San Leandro, California, has been actively advising Hawaii lawmakers to kill off a proposal to establish Instant Runoff Voting on the county level.

Here is a geopolitical look at the Turkish Gulen Cult currently attempting to curry favor with Hawaii legislators and take over Mokapu Elementary School....

 “I refuse to impose on my constituents the lethal combo of a fuel tax increase, a property tax increase, and a sewer rate increase while a whopping nine million dollars per year from the general fund is diverted to subsidize the game of golf .... "

...at the same time our society is becoming more pluralistic on questions of basic morality, the government continues to intrude more than ever in both public and private areas of social life....

The HSTA is currently in contract negotiations.  Thus it is plainly false to claim that the 180 days “come without compensation.”  Have HSTA leaders been negotiating on the assumption that Act 167 was not going to be enforced this fall?  If so, perhaps the membership should dismiss them for incompetence.

Why should private sector struggling businesses become cash cows for an irresponsible Governor and spineless Legislature? 

Because the constitution requires that the Commission be constituted by May 1, 2011, the Supreme Court has only five working days to make a selection.

The ERISA Federal law of 1974 clearly stated that if Hawaii changed its health insurance law in any substantive manner, such as what is being proposed in HB 1134, then the Federal law would take over and Hawaii's health care program would no longer be in effect.

Is the City is hiding a politically damaging increase in rail cost projections by placing the money in the Handi-van account and using inflated census numbers to justify it?  At a future date, will the moneys be quietly transferred back to rail?

Today, the Honolulu City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 11-116 which urges the Hawaii State Legislature to defer action on House Bill No. 638, HD1 SD1 which would force the City & County of Honolulu along with the County of Hawaii to implement a new type of voting procedure during special elections called ‘instant runoff voting’ or ‘ranked choice voting’

Captain Cook Coffee Company, Del Monte Fresh Produce, Kauai Coffee Company (A&B), Kelena Farms, MacFarms of Hawaii, and Maui Pineapple Farms (ML&P)….  The EEOC asserts that the farms not only ignored abuses, but also participated in the obvious mistreatment, intimidation, harassment, and unequal pay of the Thai workers.

Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement - Vote Passed (260-167, 6 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to fund the government through the end of the current fiscal year. Based on the agreement negotiated to prevent a government shutdown, the bill provides $1.055 trillion in federal spending. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president. 

Rep. Mazie Hirono voted NO.....(Hirono alone voted for Federal Gov’t Shutdown.)

PUC--"This bill would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for companies to gain entry into the water carrier market in Hawaii….”

Wednesday, April 20 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium 415 S. Beretania St.

Mayor Carlisle appointed retired union representative William Hong, current Corporation Counsel Carrie Okinaga, and First Hawaiian Bank Chairman Don Horner.

But it is a reflection of some of the concerns she’s voiced, and I think she’s supportive. The general concept, she’s for it.

‘When I get agitated and irritated, I might act up.'

Together, we are facing a 1.3 billion dollar deficit.  If we are going to raise taxes, which we must ....

From 2003 to 2008, the nation's general government debt varied between 2% and 5% of GDP....  In 2009, as the government increased spending to stimulate the economy, S&P said the U.S. debt load "ballooned" to more than 11% and has yet to come down….

More evidence that Birtherism is nothing but a scheme to help Obama get reelected....

In the Hawaii State House, Tax Day was April 12.  On that day, legislators voted up several key tax increases approved earlier by the Senate and forwarded them to the House-Senate Conference Committees which will be meeting behind closed doors for the next two weeks. 

 Seizure notice posted on Full Tilt Poker

"They are doing a good job," said Lance Holter, chairman of the Sierra Club Maui Group.

Working in the complex world of submerged electronics, students and their mentors created remotely operating vehicles (ROVs) which are driven from a control system above the water's surface.

In heart-stopping non-stop action, each of the four Hawaii teams competed with precision in the quarter final matches, but ultimately fell points short of playing in the semi-finals.

The man behind Donald Trump's possible 2012 presidential campaign is a registered Democrat who voted for Barack Obama in 2008....

State government workers currently get 13 paid holidays, 21 days of paid vacation and 21 days of sick leave each year.  And in 2012 they will get 14 days vacation—since government workers don’t have to work on election day.

“On top of these 55 paid days off a year, Gov. Abercrombie has given HGEA workers 9 more days of paid administrative leave,” Rep Gene Ward of Hawaii Kai pointed out.  “This equals 64 days, or almost three months a year.”

Dozens of Hawaii elementary, middle and high school students will take their robotic creations to the next level this weekend, by fully submerging them underwater....

SB570: Provides for the taxation of certain pension incomes. Eliminates the deduction for state taxes paid for taxpayers with income above specified thresholds. Places temporary limitations on claims for itemized tax deductions. Delays the standard deduction and personal exemption increases....

Reps Ward and Pine Address SB 41 Prepaid Health Care Act ....

The Hawaii Legislature wants to raise your taxes by imposing a new tax on 28,000 Hawaii families – including YOU – that choose satellite for their television programming.

Representative George Fontaine discusses Hawaii Drug Courts with Chief Judge, Judge Shackley Raffetto from Maui and Judge Michael D. Wilson from Oahu....

After the second crossover this week, 393 bills are still alive at the Legislature as lawmakers are trying to find every means possible to come up with a balanced budget, even ways that stand a good chance of being challenged in court....

the legislation would suspend the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals sole jurisdiction over federal employee whistleblower cases for a period of five years....

Hawaii’s VEX Robotics students will join more than 570 robotics teams representing 14 different nations to compete for the World Championship.

... here is a slice of today’s news which once again makes it crystal clear that birtherism is designed to help Obama ....

Hawaii has one of the highest State Tax Rates in the United States, and yet the State Legislature is considering many new increases in taxes including income, excise, and other fees.  Are you Taxed Enough Already?

An internal HGEA memo sent to the membership earlier this week ties the HGEA’s tentative settlement to the Legislative agenda and promises that HGEA will enjoy “equity with other unions” who will likely settle their contracts after the Legislative session is over. 

 In an effort to save their careers, two pro-life pharmacists have fought an extensive legal battle asking the state to respect their religious objections to providing Plan B, an abortifacient drug. Last Wednesday, a circuit court upheld the rights of the two professionals....