As a result, we project real income growth of 0.9% in 2012, down from 1.3% growth this year.

Gov. Lingle clearly explains why she stands WITH Hawaii's small business owners who create so many jobs here at home....

You won't read any of that in the context sent out in the e-mail from a political operative.

Median post-tax income has increased, as has consumption....

The word from the monthly jobs report shows that unemployment was little unchanged at 9 percent in October ....

The November 11th event affords Hawaii's corporate and government leaders the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture, future priorities and business style through the example of visionary peacemaker mass murderer Zhou Enlai. Upcoming projects include an annual Peace Awards presentation and Visitor Center in Beijing....

Clue: County and State projects such as Rail or the Sand Island sewer plant upgrade are financed through discounted borrowing via tax free bonds. If the bonds are no longer tax free, the cost of borrowing for construction for Rail will increase dramatically.

The Los Angeles Times reported this week that the California high-speed train--which is funded in part by $3 billion in federal grants from President Obama's stimulus--is now expected to cost $98 billion, twice what was expected, and will take an additional 13 years to complete, extending the project to 2033.

...this bag ban law is another unwarranted micro-management of our lives that should not be the purview of our elected officials....

Jake Miklojcik, author of the study and a Lansing-based consultant-for-hire, is the go-to-guy when Detroiters Michael Malik and Marian Ilitch -- or their PR mouthpiece Tom Shields -- need to produce a "study" to support their gambling/business agenda.

As the “super committee,” created by the contentious Budget Control Act (BCA), grapples with its mandate to find $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction savings, many are urging it to “go big.”

The Hawaii State Department of Education today released its new Hawaii Teacher Induction Program Standards, an important deliverable of the state’s Race to the Top plan .... 

In predicting states' future economic performance, New York, Vermont, Maine, California, and Hawaii scored the lowest in the rankings.

...hundreds of City workers (are) encouraged to take off work to participate in the protest against “the establishment.” But aren’t the Mayor and her Administration part of the establishment they are paying City employees to protest? Is it the City’s intention to have City employees on both sides of a skirmish line? ....

...a major reason for tuition inflation over the years is government involvement in the first place. Pell grants have increased 475 percent, while the cost of college has increased 439 percent since 1982--faster than increases in the cost of health care....

A meeting has been scheduled for designated captains on Wednesday Nov. 2 after work from 5-630pm at the Painters Hall.

Writing in TheWall Street Journal, [New York Senator Kirsten] Gillibrand’s piece was titled “Cap and Trade Could Be a Boon to New York.” It described the inherent complexity of cap-and-trade not as a drawback, but as an opportunity from which Wall Street brokers could profit.

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Program at Mission Houses Museum, Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 5:30 p.m.

Kawamura, who served as Hawaii’s budget director during the Lingle Administration’s two terms, was recognized with the Gloria Timmer Award, the highest honor NASBO bestows upon a state budget officer.

"This is an American story and it speaks to the greatness of this nation."

The Akaka Tribe will be legally able to arrest you even if you are not part of the Tribe....

The best teachers should be rewarded, and schools should have the freedom to make the right decisions to get the job done.

The Hawaii Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Linda Lingle to pass National Popular Vote on May 1, 2008. The Legislature has the authority to reverse its decision.

“In 2011, only one state, Hawaii, demonstrated statistically significant improvement in both reading and mathematics at both the fourth and eighth grades," said Jack Buckley, National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner, in a statement.

• House: Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act
• House: Modify Income Calculation for Eligibility for Certain Health Programs
• House: Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act

Waipahu native Army Pfc. Edward Barut and his team successfully overcame a 45-minute complex attack in which insurgents used rocket propelled grenades, small arms fire and improvised explosive devices.

The six most improved states include Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Alabama, Maryland, and Tennessee.

It's yet another inauspicious announcement the Obama Administration didn't want you to hear. Late on Friday, the White House announced that it ordered an independent review of loans made by the Department of Energy to energy companies after months of weathering criticism for its $528 million loan to the now-bankrupt Solyndra solar panel company.

Dan Inouye’s Akaka Bill sneak attack was smacked down in December, 2009 and again in December, 2010—but he’s back for one more try.

For the past nine years Honolulu officials have paid publicly professed cockfighters a total of $480,000 in taxpayer dollars to respond to loose and nuisance fowl complaints....

Employees currently may take up to 26 weeks fully paid sick leave each year. The company's offer provides up to 8 weeks fully-paid sick leave annually....

Tax experts, public finance gurus, and public administrators preach that a good tax system is one that has a broad base that will allow a low rate to be imposed.

This is what happens to people who believe in Anthropogenic Global Warming.

Attempting to "fact check" an opinion is a fool's errand.

I’m writing this on the 44th anniversary of the execution of that poster-boy of “social justice”, Dr. “Che” Guevara, viewing articles of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators in Hawaii and the mainland.

By 1861, the United States had developed a close relationship with the Kingdom of Hawaii, especially economically, diplomatically and culturally. The hundreds of Pacific Islanders who swore oaths of allegiance to the United States or the Confederacy and who fought in service of their cause will also be discussed.

What if you are in Hawaii and you need 15 days of hospital care instead of 10? Apparently you must pay out of your own pocket or forgo needed care.

As a result of the enrollment process which is already beginning under Act 195, I am now reviewing my bill and looking for ways to streamline it.

To avoid having to borrow from the federal government again, Governor Abercrombie approved an agreement between the DLIR and the Department of Budget & Finance that temporarily allows the DLIR to replenish the Unemployment Trust Fund from the State treasury....

The Obama administration is hoping to build on the momentum of recent free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama as attention turns to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and trade promotion authority.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) will reduce its Child Welfare Services (CWS) contracts with community providers and the University of Hawaii by $5.8 million beginning Dec. 1, 2011.

The 39-story United Nations headquarters stands on the banks of the East River in Manhattan. But now the U.N. is planning the construction of a new building next door, with a price tag pegged at $400 million -- and it could soar even higher. 

...the City's rail construction budget is limited to their using what they can get from the city's ½ percent addition to the GE Tax...On the other hand, they can use all they want for operating subsidies from the General Fund....

Charles and his likely opponent in the next election, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, are effectively tied in their favorability ratings at 42% and Hanabusa has the lowest favorability rating of all the members of the Hawaii congressional delegation....

There is a better-than-usual chance that the Supreme Court will agree to review the case, since the Ninth Circuit’s decision squarely conflicts with decisions by the California and Texas Supreme Courts....

“We must address the soaring costs of healthcare,” said Governor Neil Abercrombie. “Changing the way our Medicaid programs operate is an important step toward the healthcare transformation we need in Hawai‘i.”

...

(lt-to-rt) lobbyist Michael McKeon, attorney Lance Boldrey, Gov. John Waihee & Detroit Syndicator Michael J. Malik

What is the American idea? That all depends on whom you ask. According to President Barack Obama, it's the notion that the federal government is the answer to America's problems....