September 29, 2009 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

September 29, 2009 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 12:26 PM :: 12914 Views

Charter schools skip furloughs (Convert every DoE School NOW)

Independent plans devised to cope with dwindling funding. (This is what happens when management is not conspiring with Union leaders to play political games aimed at the 2010 elections.)

In the 2007-08 school year, charters received $8,149 per student. That dropped the next year to $7,588 per student. This year, charters received about $5,530 per student, a 33 percent decrease in funding since 2007.

This year, charters are getting about $5,530 per student, while the DOE's most recent per-pupil dollar amount is estimated at more than $11,000. (And yet, somehow, they manage to avoid furloughs. This is a ringing condemnation of the DoE)

(In spite of the funding cuts, there is reason for every school in the DoE to convert to Charter)

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Parents consider paying teachers (Who needs the DoE when we can do it ourselves)

Parents at some public schools are looking into the possibility of renting their schools and paying teachers directly to keep their children learning on "furlough Fridays."

The plan has caused some concern that Hawai'i's public school system is opening itself up to a new form of privatized education. (HAHAHAHA)

But Schatz, the mother of a sixth-grade girl at 'Aikahi, said many parents like her prefer to keep their children in the same classroom settings on furlough Fridays, pointed toward the same academic goals.

"We want our kids in their classrooms with their teachers on Fridays," Schatz said.

The state Department of Education has scheduled a meeting today at the Queen Lili'uokalani Building to outline procedures and requirements to private providers — including PTSAs — that may want to rent school facilities on furlough Fridays.

Big Isle library stays open as donations top $100,000 (Who needs the DoE--we can fund it ourself)

Fund-raising has helped keep Mountain View Public and School Library open on the Hawaii island, as statewide donations exceeded more than $100,000 since campaigns began Sept. 2.

Hawaii law to buy cheap prescription drugs fails

Lingle's administration didn't act on the law because of fears that it's illegal. Federal law prohibits foreign drug imports, although that law hasn't always been enforced.

(So sad. This was a missed opportunity to place the entire legislature in federal prison. BTW How is the union plan to buy cheap meds by mail order from Florida working out?)

Lingle drops plans for Maui prison (Holding Legislator responsible for his chatter)

"Your clear expression of opposition indicates that we no longer have the legislative support needed to move this project forward, and we will therefore discontinue further effort to pursue development of this complex," Gov. Linda Lingle said in a letter, dated Friday, to Sen. Shan Tsutsui....

Tsutsui's comments indicated that lawmakers have had long-standing disagreement with the administration over the size, design and price of the prison complex, adding that the two sides were "not even close" on an agreement to proceed....

"I'm really disappointed the administration is going to make a $235 million decision based on a few comments that were in the newspaper," Tsutsui said by phone from Maui.

(No, what's disappointing is the mindless posturing of Tsutsui and most other Legislators. In a system based on consensus, such posturing is the deathknell to project after project.)

Sen. Will Espero, chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, called the governor's decision "strange." (Not if you read the Maui News article.)

Espero (D, Ewa-Honouliuli-Ewa Beach) said: "We shouldn't just end all planning because one (sic) senator has some issues."

Sept 13 Maui News: Plans for proposed $235M jail in Puunene go forward

"Tsutsui said the plans have been untenable for three years now because of lawmakers' objections to the project's price and design, and the state administration has been told that." "We told them to go back to the drawing board," he said.

Kauai: County manager proponent quits

“I have concluded that I am facing a systematic barrier which is being imposed by the commission, the Office of Boards and Commissions and the county attorney to prevent the consideration of a responsible proposal of a county manager form of government which I feel is supported by many Kaua‘i residents,” she said.

In a brief interview inside Council Chambers during the meeting, Davis-Briant likened her efforts to “banging my head on the wall,” and that while she felt badly for her former colleagues, she didn’t think the proposal would get out of committee and believes a citizens’ petition is the best way of getting it on the ballot in November 2010.

She said the government “does not function properly” because four entities — the Kaua‘i County Council, the Office of the Mayor, the Office of Boards and Commissions and the Office of the County Attorney — are all vying for control of the island.

Appeals court judge will be retiring early

Watanabe yesterday said salary restrictions and budget cuts in the judiciary and elsewhere in state government contributed to her decision to step down before her current term of appointment expires in May 2012....The Judicial Selection Commission is responsible for submitting lists of qualified replacements to Gov. Linda Lingle, whose appointees must be confirmed by the state Senate.

(One more judicial appointment for Lingle!)

Honolulu rail's PR effort costs $5.6M

The bulk of that money — $3 million — was spent since June 30, 2008, and includes a ramped-up rail campaign ahead of last November's vote on the project.

(Publicly funded election campaigns are already a reality.)

Hawaii officials to scrutinize cash transactions

Beginning next week, state tax officials will be going into the community to educate businesses about the new Cash Economy Enforcement Act of 2009....The act establishes the Special Enforcement Section within the department. The section may issue citations for noncompliance with state tax laws, as well as cease-and-desist notifications.

(The State needs that money in order to pay for ... uh ... collecting that money.)

Seawater project's price tag increases

The EIS also shows the project won't start until next year and will take about a year and a half to complete. Developer Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC also said it has reached an agreement with Kamehameha Schools to lease land in Kaka'ako on which to build a pumping station.

SB: Isle Filipinos fear for loved ones in Manila

Donations are being accepted to help the victims of Tropical Storm Ketsana.

ADV: Ketsana leaves at least 284 dead or missing in Philippines MANILA, Philippines — The toll from floods in the northern Philippines rose to at least 284 dead or missing Tuesday as bedraggled victims queued up for aid and Typhoon Ketsana roared into Vietnam.

SB: Watada victory bittersweet

But it's unrealistic to expect any softening from many Iraq veterans or their families. By describing the war as illegal, Watada essentially called into question the service of those who did follow orders. He's always been prepared to pay a price for taking a stand, and enmity in certain quarters will be part of the toll. (so sad)

Kenoi vetoes Puna tent bill

HILO -- Saying a bill allowing people to live in tents while their homes are under construction stigmatizes Puna, Mayor Billy Kenoi on Monday wielded his veto pen for the first time.

County wins financial reporting award

For the 21st year in a row, the nation's primary financial association has awarded Hawaii County a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
The award, from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, recognizes the county's comprehensive annual financial report, a document that all governments are required to create each year. An association spokeswoman said about 3,600 government agencies, groups and pension funds won the award this year.

NYT: Socialism takes a hit in Europe

ADV: Hawaii under tsunami watch after 7.9 quake off Samoa