Entries for February 2017

Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our Nation's path toward civil rights and the work that still remains....

Note low scores in all government functions: Education, Crime, Infrastructure and ‘Government’ – High scores in non-government functions: Health Care, Opportunity, Economy....

Only 20.2 percent of younger households own their homes, the lowest among the states....

...this bill would take marijuana off the federal controlled substances list - joining other industries such as alcohol and tobacco....

... Hawaii Corporate Income over $100K is taxed at 6.4% ....

Bitcoin Shutdown related to Hawaii Marijuana Dispensaries Tax Evasion System?....

The new study found the endangered hoary bat populations could decline by 90 percent in the next 50 years as more wind turbines are built....

...the amount of the penalty could be as much as $695 x 2 adults plus $695 x ½ x 3 kids = $2,432.50....

With so many bathrooms -- will UH administrators be dispatched to comb the streets of Chinatown for recruits? 

In spite of zero media attention, HB1297 drew 747 pages of opposition testimony from angry Hawaiians ....

SB107 would raise the minimum wage 62% from $9.25 / hour ....

In just this legislative session, we've seen attempts to make the surcharge a permanent part of life.... We've seen proposed income tax increases. There's even an attempt to write a tax...into the state Constitution....

...Suicide Tuesday, February 28, 2017 11:30 a.m....

It will be heard on Monday, February 27, at 9:30 in room 229 before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health....

...42 key indicators of affordability, economic strength, quality of education and health, and overall living standards....

During the hearing, no oral testimony was permitted; however, many provided written testimony in opposition, pointing out the many flaws and constitutional concerns....

The voting period for neighborhood board elections will begin on April 28, 2017, and end on May 19, 2017....

...HART’s wildly inflated rail ridership projections, the surging cost of the project, and pleas from the mayor's office to obtain more tax dollars....

The House and Senate are not doing legislative business in their respective chambers this week....

...method used across the U.S. mainland....

...information and developments that are about to be announced by Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Colette Machado....

"...NGOs are smuggling immigrants into Europe on an industrial scale...."

... an EIS which they are not required to submit ....

I never understood why there is so much support for a national, single-payer healthcare system – until I started working in a small medical office....

...if the minimum wage was increased, many grocery stores today would simply replace workers with automated tablets....

...Ige announced that he would cut $220 million from his current spending plan. However, the ‘cuts’ are only reductions in proposed spending increases....

...and if you earn $100K, Hawaii is 3rd-highest....

...why firearm suppressors are so heavily regulated....

...and Legislators are pushing HB209 to make those rates even higher....

The sheer number of bills related to tax or public finance is staggering. It's much more frenetic this year than in any other year I've been in this position....

All legislative bills referred to more than one committee (i.e., those with multiple referrals) must have moved to their final committee in the originating chamber....

Because the savings rate is calculated from local price comparisons, it will vary by region due to differences in the cost of living, even when commissary prices remain uniform and constant....

SB 898 is a misguided gun control bill that would permanently strip an individual of their Second Amendment rights, not based on a criminal conviction or mental adjudication, but based on a quasi-criminal proceeding....

7.35% of Hawaii households have $1M or more of investable assets....

Hawaii state lawmakers hope to make their state the next to force pregnancy care centers to promote abortion....

Candidate Registration is now closed....

Friday, February 17, 2017 is the last day to register as a candidate for the Neighborhood Board elections....

An NSC survey released Feb. 15 provides a glimpse at the risky things drivers are doing....

The extension adds eight calendar days to the 30 calendar days allowed by statute for the approving agency to decide if the FEIS is acceptable....

...OHA Professional Services Contract awards for the past 36 months....

...researchers have determined that an average of 15.5 bats are killed at each individual wind turbine site every year....

"Currently, there are no laws on the books that allow for the involuntarily commitment of individuals who are mentally ill or drug addicted or alcoholic...."

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection & Health passed the assisted suicide (SB1129) out of committee on February 15, 2017....

...Highest Percentage of Jobs Generated by Immigrant-Owned Businesses Rank -- 3rd....

...when it is mailed by the appellant, or when received by the Board of Registration Appeals....

This means one or more of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in "poor" or worse condition....

... Auditor: OHA Fails to File Oversight Reports as it Drains Public Land Trust Fund ....

Rather than reopen the search, University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner is recommending that he continue to serve as interim UH Mānoa chancellor for two more years....