Entries for 'Grassroot Institute'

... projects stall out because of inflexible rules ....

... the latest waiver quickly resulted in new shipping routes that "you never see” ....

... this year’s state legislative session felt a lot like playing goalie in soccer with “a million balls headed our way” ....

... The 2026 Hawai‘i Legislature is in its final days ....

“there has not been a single commercial rebuild permit approved in almost two and a half years since the fires.”

... the government’s role in economic recovery and more ....

... damage estimates aren’t reflective of actual losses to the state  ....

Bill 2987 would reduce the risk of farmers and ranchers paying more in property taxes than they should for having certain commercial structures on their lands, including food processing facilities or slaughterhouses.... 

... The state doesn’t have a budget crisis. It has a spending crisis ....

... The bills together generated more than 300 testimonies from both individuals and organizations opposing the bills ....

... going through the budget with a fine-toothed comb is long overdue, and it would likely net more than enough savings to preserve our tax cuts ....

... the Jones Act “has been identified as a central factor in Hawaii’s reliance on foreign oil" ....

...Maui Cultural Resources Commission could need to sign off on more than 100 rebuilding plans for properties in the Lahaina National Historic Landmark District or one of the county’s historic zoning districts, yet it has approved only six since the fires....

... The Hawaiʻi Legislature passed sweeping income tax cuts in 2024 to help prevent residents from moving away in search of a lower cost of living ....

... state and county testimonies submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in the first half of March 2026 ....

... state and county testimonies submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in the latter half of February 2026 ....

“A lot of people in Hawaii were counting on this money, and we need it to survive the cost of living.”

...Grassroot’s priorities this session include defending the state’s income tax cuts passed in 2024, opposing all other tax hikes and fees, supporting occupational licensing reform and advocating housing policies that could boost homebuilding....

... the state’s high cost of living, fueled by high taxes and too many regulations, are continuing to drive residents to more affordable places on the mainland ....

... California’s Paid Family Leave Act did not help narrow the pay gap, and was instead associated with reduced employment and earnings for first-time mothers ....  

... The “housing policy playbook” is intended to help state and county lawmakers remove or reform the many regulatory barriers that stifle Hawaii homebuilding ....

... three important recommendations that would enable farmers and ranchers to build more housing on their land ....

... P065 proposes setting up a volunteer Cost of Government Commission to help identify inefficiencies and waste in city operations. Honolulu is the only county in the state without such a commission ....

...Allow more small homes to be built on agricultural lands....

... 30 commentaries during 2025 that were first featured by local and national media ....

... The state budget department confirms that the increase would come from a ‘pause’ of the remaining historic 2024 income tax reductions ....

... Hawaii has one of the most restrictive CON environments in the country ....

... height limits have emerged as a barrier to rebuilding historic structures, apartments and businesses ....

... Bill 9 will cause job losses for Maui residents, impede entrepreneurship, reduce county tax revenues and result in expensive litigation against the county ....

... the More Homes on the Market Act would double exclusions for home sales and adjust them annually for inflation going forward ....

... Proposal 064: Streamline housing approvals via reform of zoning variance hearing and notice rules ....

... Civil Service often results in rigid and time-consuming recruitment processes that make it difficult for the City to attract and retain qualified professionals ....

... new Grassroot Institute of Hawaii white paper highlights the need for state lawmakers to reform or repeal the state’s CON regulations ....

... This proposal would amend the Honolulu City Charter to require the city auditor to prepare a fiscal impact assessment for all proposed Charter amendments and Council legislation ....

"...Kids rise to the challenge of deciding what to sell, creating a booth, talking to customers, and handling money...."

... Honolulu Bill 42 allows taxicabs to set their own prices -- Hawai'i County Bill 52 allows backyard chickens ....

... Grassroot, Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters, and city Managing Director Mike Formby all submitted proposals regarding fiscal notes ....

... More than 60 parking-reduction waivers have been approved since the year 2000 ....

... A Maui County Council committee last week approved amendments to Bill 171 (2025), which would extend property tax relief to Lahaina property owners who lost their homes and businesses ....

... housing is at the center of every crisis we face ....

...Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice have teamed up with the Rice Street Business Association....

... keeping up with myriad government actions is challenging ....

... upward of 500 building permits have been issued for Lahaina residents and businesses whose homes and storefronts were destroyed ....

... Speaking to an audience of more than 70, including state and county lawmakers and department executives, the four presenters touched on myriad possible reforms, including those related to land-use laws, inclusionary zoning, density regulations, parking and amenities requirements, and farm-worker housing ....

... Grassroot’s “Open Hearings” project can monitor and summarize government hearings and produce transcripts and summaries of those hearings almost immediately ....

... Legislative action in all four of Hawaii’s counties could soon help ease the state’s acute housing shortage ....

... The Oct. 15 event will focus on research and practical reforms aimed at addressing Hawaii's acute need for more housing ....

"How much longer is it going to take for Lahaina to get back on its feet — five, 10, 15 years?"

... extensions to the estimated $10-billion rail project are being explored by the Honolulu City Council and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation ....

... focus includes property tax relief and speeding up permitting, rail and rate freedom for taxis ....