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Sunday, February 21, 2010
Akaka Preparing New Senate Bill: House Rules Committee to consider Akaka Bill Monday
By Andrew Walden @ 2:19 AM :: 11758 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

Rep Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) is preparing to introduce a third version of the Akaka Bill in the US House to replace the existing text of HR 2314.  And, according to one source, staffers in the office of Senator Dan Akaka (D-HI) are writing an amended version of S1011 to introduce in the Senate in place of the bill passed by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

On Monday February 22 at 5PM EST (12 Noon HST) the House Rules Committee will consider allowing Abercrombie to amend the old version of the Akaka Bill with the latest new version.

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Saturday, February 20, 2010
VIDEO: Flagpole bill had 17 votes for recall
By News Release @ 2:21 PM :: 10219 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

Three votes were not counted by the Chief Clerk- Representatives Tom Brower, Marilyn Lee, and Maile Shimabukuro.

Had these three votes been accurately counted and made inclusive with the fourteen votes that were counted, the total would have been seventeen votes.

Seventeen votes in the affirmative is what was needed to recall HB2311 from committee.

See the hands raised in the video . . .

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Friday, February 19, 2010
A No-Cost Stimulus That Can Create Real Jobs for the American People
By Heritage Foundation @ 2:19 PM :: 5873 Views :: National News, Ethics

There are some no-cost measures our federal government could take that could create the space for American entrepreneurship and private investment, resulting in real long-term job growth. Heritage fellow James Sherk identifies eight such measures . . .

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Friday, February 19, 2010
FULL TEXT: Latest version of Akaka Bill
By News Release @ 1:31 PM :: 11546 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After House and Senate Committees approved two different versions of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 (Akaka bill) last December, House Democrats have now released another rewritten version of this bill.  The House is expected to vote on the latest altered text next week.

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Friday, February 19, 2010
After voting for Stimulus, Abercrombie admits false claims “make people sick of politicians”
By News Release @ 10:28 AM :: 9740 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

Abercrombie admits the “15,000 jobs” created by stimulus in Hawaii claim comes from “a template going out all across the country” and explains:  "This kind of stuff is dysfunctional.  It further demoralizes the population.  It makes people sick of politicians.”   (Then why’d you vote for it Neil?)

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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Unemployment tax relief passes House
By News Release @ 8:20 PM :: 8226 Views :: Energy, Environment

HONOLULU, HAWAII - The state House of Representatives today passed on third reading a bill that would set new employer contribution rates for unemployment insurance. Unless legislation is passed, the rates will soar in the coming year due to the poor economy and high unemployment negatively impacting Hawaii’s businesses.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Legislature refuses to vote on flag pole bill
By News Release @ 7:58 PM :: 9262 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

17 votes were needed. 

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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Full Text: The Mount Vernon Statement
By Heritage Foundation @ 4:07 PM :: 6313 Views :: National News, Ethics

Yesterday, I joined a broad coalition of conservative leaders representing a wide spectrum of the movement including fiscal, social, cultural and national security conservatives, to sign The Mount Vernon Statement. In light of the challenges facing the country and the need for clarity, we needed to produce this defining statement of conservative beliefs, values and principles. It is the culmination of a thoughtful deliberation about our nation’s principles. I was proud to participate in that discussion, and to chair the committee that drafted the statement.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010
PEW: Hawaii “has failed to sock away any assets” to cover pension liabilities
By News Release @ 2:41 PM :: 10019 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

As of fiscal year 2007, Hawaii—like 19 other states—had failed to sock away any assets to cover this long-term bill coming due. Relative to the size of its payroll and population, it has one of the greatest burdens—$10.8 billion—of any state in the country.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Anti-Catholic Bush Hater crashes airplane into Texas office building
By Andrew Walden @ 1:55 PM :: 6039 Views :: National News, Ethics

WASHINGTON (AP) - Law officials have identified the pilot who crashed into an Austin, Texas IRS building as Joseph Stack and say he left an angry letter on his company website.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010
House Expected to Vote Next Week on ANOTHER secret version of Akaka Bill
By News Release @ 12:51 PM :: 10470 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

“Once again the Democrat majority is writing bills behind closed doors without any contribution or consideration from the minority.  When the Native Hawaiian bill passed out of the Natural Resources Committee in December, it was clear there was more work to be done before the bill was brought before the full House and I asked that everyone have the opportunity to thoroughly review and comment on any changes—obviously that request hasn’t been met when the House is expected to be voting in a few days and we don’t even have a copy of the rewritten bill."

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Blocked by Cabanilla: Flagpole Bill to be Called to House Floor Thursday
By News Release @ 1:54 PM :: 9825 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

During Thursday's legislative session, February 16, H.B. 2311 will be recalled to the House Floor. The move will require 17 votes to recall it to the House Floor and 26 votes to keep it alive.  

"We are asking all veterans and patriots to call their state representatives and join us on Thursday at the State Capitol to show their support for this important legislation."  Rep. Pine stated.

Similar homeowner's association rules that hinder flag displays are being challenged across the country.  In 2009, one Virginia association gained nationwide attention when it ordered Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a 90-year-old recipient of the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor, to remove the flagpole from his home.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Washington Subsidies Can't Save Nuclear Power
By Heritage Foundation @ 12:52 PM :: 5485 Views :: National News, Ethics

As newspapers across the country have noted this morning, President Obama's nuclear loan guarantee announcement is really nothing more than a transparently cynical attempt to revive his moribund cap-and-trade/energy tax proposals currently languishing in the Senate.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Rush Limbaugh reads “Wind Energy's Ghosts”
By Andrew Walden @ 10:11 PM :: 9459 Views :: Energy
In the second hour of Rush Limbaugh's nationwide radio show Monday, February 15, he read the opening portion of our “Wind Energy’s Ghosts” article to 20 million listeners.  Here is the transcript . . .
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995
By Selected News Articles @ 8:43 PM :: 6414 Views :: World News, Family

Professor Jones also conceded the possibility that the world was warmer in medieval times than now – suggesting global warming may not be a man-made phenomenon.  And he said that for the past 15 years there has been no ‘statistically significant’ warming.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Heritage: Don't Celebrate First Failed Stimulus with a Second One
By Heritage Foundation @ 6:42 PM :: 5092 Views :: National News, Ethics

At the one year mark unemployment is now 9.7%, after rising above 10%, and the U.S. economy has lost 4 million jobs leaving the White House 9 million jobs short of the 138.6 million they promised to deliver by December of this year. By any objective measure President Obama's $862 billion stimulus must be judged as a complete failure.  

Undeterred by these facts, the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) published a report on the economic effects of the Administration's economic stimulus plan claiming that there are 2 million more jobs in the economy than there otherwise would have been had the President's stimulus not become law.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
VIDEO, PHOTOS: From Pohakuloa to Battle of Marjah
By Selected News Articles @ 5:46 PM :: 20682 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family

  ‘LAVA DOGS’, the 1st Battalion 3rd MARINES, and other forces deployed into Helmand Prov. AFG.  Lava Dogs are from Marine Corps Base, Hawaii and trained for Afghan combat at Pohakuloa last July. 

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ed Case Video: “I will continue to champion…war over marriage”
By Ed Case @ 1:36 PM :: 13771 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

Video of Ed Case speaking to Big Island GLBT group.

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Monday, February 15, 2010
HB2241/SB2303: Bills would seize Ceded Lands from Hawaiians
By Andrew Walden @ 11:13 PM :: 7819 Views :: Energy, Environment

Quietly, with no media notice, a joint meeting of two House Committees met February 3 to consider HB 2241, confiscating "unencumbered" Ceded Lands from native Hawaiians and other beneficiaries and transferring them in advance to any Akaka Tribe created by Congress.

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Monday, February 15, 2010
First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen
By Heritage Foundation @ 12:49 PM :: 5253 Views :: National News, Ethics

The third Monday in February has come to be known—wrongly—as President’s Day. But, this is not a day to celebrate every president in our Nation’s history: like one who served only a month in office. This is the day that we celebrate the man who led America to victory in the War for Independence, who was instrumental in the creation of our Constitution, and whose character forever shaped the executive branch. We celebrate George Washington. That’s why it’s Washington’s Birthday; not President’s day.

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Monday, February 15, 2010
Wind Energy's Ghosts
By Andrew Walden @ 1:09 AM :: 34618 Views :: Energy, Tax Credits

 Wiwo...wiwo...wiwo.  

The sound floats on the winds of Ka Lae, this southernmost tip of Hawaii's Big Island, where Polynesian colonists first landed some 1,500 years ago.

Some say that Ka Lae is haunted -- and it is. But it's haunted not by Hawaii's legendary night marchers. The mysterious sounds are "Na leo o Kamaoa"-- the disembodied voices of 37 skeletal wind turbines abandoned to rust on the hundred-acre site of the former Kamaoa Wind Farm.

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Saturday, February 13, 2010
Utah Legislature to EPA: “cease carbon dioxide reduction policies”
By News Release @ 12:42 AM :: 6718 Views :: National News, Ethics

WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization, 1.6 billion people do not have adequate food and clean water; and

WHEREAS, global governance related to global warming and reduction of CO2 would ultimately lock billions of human beings into long-term poverty:

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Friday, February 12, 2010
Malulani Hospital offers Maui an alternative to MMMC’s “downward trajectory”
By News Release @ 8:58 PM :: 14424 Views :: Maui County, Health Care, Labor

Malulani Foundation offers solutions to the very serious problems faced by HHSC and MMMC. Our community can start fresh, with a new hospital and a new vision for healthcare on Maui.

Dr. Ron Kwon started the process for the original Malulani Group to bring a new hospital to Maui and was not successful. Dr. Kwon was very disappointed, left the island and is now affiliated with a major hospital in Boston.

The goal of Malulani Foundation is to bring a private, full service, state of art, 450 bed teaching hospital to Maui which will provide further needed diversity for economy to Maui and a source of jobs for our Maui people.

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Friday, February 12, 2010
Laupahoehoe Liberation: Rural school targeted for closure votes for charter conversion
By News Release @ 3:24 PM :: 12327 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Energy, Environment

Laupahoehoe has voted to convert Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School (LHES) to a public charter school. League of Women Voters’ past president Sue Irvine and volunteers Margaret Drake, Marianna Scheffer were kept busy all day collecting secret ballots from parents and staff of LHES. One hundred forty five out of 180 voters cast their ballots in favor of charter conversion.  Only 35 opposed.

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Friday, February 12, 2010
Sen. Murkowski moves to block EPA regulation of CO2
By Dick Armey @ 2:51 PM :: 7351 Views :: National News, Ethics

In the wake of last year's "endangerment finding," the EPA now has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act. But the Clean Air Act was designed to address specific pollutants, and its sweeping one-size-fits all regulation was not meant to address carbon dioxide.

To prevent a major power grab by unelected government bureaucrats, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has introduced a resolution of disapproval to keep the EPA from moving forward on its own while Congress continues to debate the issue.

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Friday, February 12, 2010
The President Must Stop Voting "Present" on Iran
By Heritage Foundation @ 2:35 PM :: 5089 Views :: National News, Ethics

Yesterday in Tehran's Azadi Square, hundreds of thousands of Iranians turned out to listen to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech marking the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Ahmadinejad did not disappoint the adoring crowd, defiantly announcing that Iran had become a "nuclear state," adding: "The Iranian nation is brave enough that if one day we wanted to create an atomic bomb, we would announce it publicly and would create it."

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Thursday, February 11, 2010
Abercrombie resignation kills Obamacare majority in House
By Andrew Walden @ 1:51 PM :: 9438 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

Challenged to stay in the US House in order to provide President Barack Obama with the deciding vote in favor of any Obamacare compromise, Neil Abercrombie has refused.  Naturally, the drama—which could be very damaging to Abercrombie’s standing among Hawaii Democrats—has played out with only the barest notice in Hawaii media.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010
Global Warming - Is There Anything It Can't Do?
By Heritage Foundation @ 12:45 PM :: 6044 Views :: National News, Ethics

Considering that NBC/GE  has already received billions in TARP bailout cash from the Obama administration and is actively lobbying for a global warming energy tax bill so that it can receive billions more in government green-energy subsidies on top of the millions it already receives, we are sure to hear lots from NBC announcers about how the lack of snow in Vancouver is just another reason Washington needs to act now to stop global warming.

But back in Washington, the global warming scare-monger crowd is singing a slightly different tune. Facing record snowfalls, Time is reporting: "Snowstorm: East Coast Blizzard Tied to Climate Change." But do not confuse this headline with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s column from two years ago claiming that global warming was causing "anemic winters" in the Washington region.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010
Ed Case: "People have to turn the campaign negative"
By Andrew Walden @ 2:05 AM :: 7424 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

Case in 2006 earned the hatred of Hawaii Democrats by implying that Senator Dan Akaka was feeble-minded, ineffectual, and too liberal.  In a repeat performance, on December 18 he told The Hill that Senate President Colleen Hanabusa "has no clue."  Now he cries to his friends at KITV

"People have to turn the campaign negative against you in order to advance.  They are going to try to tear you down.  I am not looking forward to that.”

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Hawaii sells $721.6M general obligation bonds
By News Release @ 7:11 PM :: 5505 Views :: Energy, Environment

Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed the State’s bond ratings of Aa2, AA and AA, respectively.  Standard and Poor’s Ratings Service cited one of the State’s credit strengths as, “the governor’s willingness to implement aggressive solutions to balance the fiscal 2010-2011 biennial budget given lower general fund tax revenue forecasts.”

(Good thing these got sold before S&P finds out about the Legislature.)

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Hawaii Recycle First Coalition debunks plastic bag ban
By News Release @ 7:00 PM :: 11650 Views :: Energy, Environment

We share the goal of the Rise Above Plastics coalition to make Hawaii a litter free place.  However, we believe efforts to promote recycling and educate people about litter prevention are much more effective means to reduce waste and protect our environment.  No litter, including plastic, belongs in the ocean.  Plastics belong in the recycling bin—not targeted for bans or taxes.  Protecting our shore lines and eliminating ocean litter has no geographic or political boundaries, so solutions must involve international partnerships and be global in scope.  We can do our part by enforcing litter laws, encouraging and promoting recycling programs and remembering to reuse our own shopping bags regardless of their material type.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ginoza, Browning: Governor announces new judicial nominations
By News Release @ 6:38 PM :: 9918 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today nominated Lisa M. Ginoza to serve as an associate judge on the Intermediate Court of Appeals and Robert Mark Browning as a Circuit Court judge of the First Circuit (O‘ahu).  Their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Obama Administration: Media “serve goals of al-Qaeda”
By Heritage Foundation @ 1:33 PM :: 4843 Views :: National News, Ethics

Yesterday, USA Today ran an editorial on the Obama administration's handling of terrorism, writing: "Officials’ handling of Christmas Day attack looks like amateur hour." Graciously given the space to respond to this charge, Obama administration Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan replied: "Politically motivated criticism and unfounded fear-mongering only serve the goals of al-Qaeda."

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Global Cooling to the rescue: Snow Slows Obama's Second Stimulus
By Heritage Foundation @ 3:01 PM :: 4832 Views :: National News, Ethics

The Las Vegas Sun reported this weekend that big labor leaders are pushing to include their long-sought "card check" provisions into Obama's Second Stimulus. This legislation would effectively end a worker's right to fight unionization through secret ballot elections, would give the federal government the power to run small businesses and would cost the American economy thousands of jobs.

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Monday, February 8, 2010
VIDEO: Charles Djou on Fox ‘Red Eye’
By Selected News Articles @ 9:24 PM :: 9025 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

Gutfeld told Djou at one point: "Dude, I think you're going to win."

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Monday, February 8, 2010
Yes, Hawaii Does Need an Initiative Right (Citizens in Charge answers Burris)
By Selected News Articles @ 8:54 PM :: 5328 Views :: Energy, Environment

Because Hawaiians have no statewide initiative or referendum rights, the Aloha State earned a “D” on our recently released state-by-state report card on initiative and referendum rights. We like to think that the state’s poor performance will prompt action to give the people more of a voice in government by creating an open and accessible initiative process. Unfortunately, at least one talking head in the state doesn’t want the people to have a greater say in their state government.

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Monday, February 8, 2010
Senate bill would force Governor to spend money State does not have
By News Release @ 6:45 PM :: 7112 Views :: Energy, Environment

Budget Director Georgina Kawamura, who submitted testimony stated that limiting the authority of the Governor and Executive Branch could adversely impact the State’s bond rating. The Governor’s authority to reduce expenditures has been cited by all three bond rating agencies as one of the State’s credit strengths and a determining factor in maintaining Hawai‘i’s favorable bond ratings. 

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Monday, February 8, 2010
Military version of Superferry may come to Hawaii
By News Release @ 5:54 PM :: 8335 Views :: Energy, Environment

HSV-1

Your beloved editor urges all Hawaii residents to send comments to the Army asking that they give due consideration to the possibility of stationing three JHSVs at Nawiliwili Harbor instead of Pearl—or better yet, put all 12 there.  Kahului could also be considered as a back up. 

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Monday, February 8, 2010
Child Molester’s friend, Rep. Cabanilla blocks flagpole bill
By News Release @ 1:58 PM :: 10775 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

State Representative, Rida Cabanilla, 42nd (Ewa, Waipahu), deferred a bill that would have allowed veterans and community members to commemorate loved ones by displaying  American or state flags on  their homes. 

House Bill 2311 was introduced by State Rep. Kymberly Pine, 43rd (Ewa Beach, Pu`uloa, Iroquois Point), in response to concerns from Iraq veteran and Retired MSgt, Harold Alejandro.  He faced barriers in the homeowner's association rules when he tried to install a flagpole for an American flag display on his home. 

“We are deeply saddened that this bill did not pass, it would have allowed this humble veteran a small gesture to keeping the memory and sacrifice alive of two fallen heroes whom I had the privilege to serve alongside," explained Alejandro.

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Monday, February 8, 2010
NRCC: Djou “building a winning campaign”
By News Release @ 1:38 PM :: 11006 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

Charles Djou has proven leadership abilities during his service in the Hawaii State House, the Honolulu City Council, and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. The three biggest industries in the First District are tourism, defense and construction and Djou has experience in all three – serves Waikiki (tourism center) in the City Council, serves in the U.S. Army Reserves and was General Counsel at a Hawaii construction company.  He looks forward to continuing to advocate fiscal responsibility and ethics reform when he gets to Washington, as he has never voted for a tax increase and led the fight against corruption in Hawaii.

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Monday, February 8, 2010
A Six-Hour Infomercial Can't Save Obamacare
By Heritage Foundation @ 1:17 PM :: 4940 Views :: National News, Ethics

Right before the Super Bowl, President Barack Obama spoke about health care reform with CBS News' Katie Couric: "I want to come back and have a large meeting, Republicans and Democrats, to go through systematically all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward."

According to aides, the President envisions a half-day meeting on February 25th held in Blair House (a building across the street from the White House) presumably televised by C-SPAN. President Obama's conciliatory rhetoric aside, everyone knows this publicity stunt has nothing to do with actually considering conservative health care reform ideas and everything to do with the appearance of transparency and bipartisanship.

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Monday, February 8, 2010
Washington Times Trolls Gutter for RNC Critics
By Andrew Walden @ 12:42 PM :: 7499 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

In the face of RNC leaders’ optimism about Republican chances in November, the Washington Times has reached out to some odd sources in its search for evidence of Republican dissension.

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Saturday, February 6, 2010
Save $21M per year: Gov Lingle calls for action on collective bargaining bills
By News Release @ 6:31 PM :: 5217 Views :: Energy, Environment

HONOLULU – Proposals that would save the State up to $21 million each year and correct flaws in the collective bargaining system are pending legislative action.  Governor Linda Lingle is urging the Legislature to promptly schedule hearings on these measures before the upcoming internal legislative deadline of February 12.

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Friday, February 5, 2010
DoE firing hundreds of Special Education skills trainers
By Andrew Walden @ 11:57 PM :: 18619 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

The Hawaii Department of Education Honolulu District is moving to replace hundreds of privately contracted paraprofessional Special Education skills trainers with newly hired and minimally trained DoE Paraprofessional tutors (PPTs) between now and March 22.

A February 4 ad on Craigslist seeks “reliable individuals” to become “Paraprofessional Turtors” (sic) in the “Honlulu (sic) District”. 

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Friday, February 5, 2010
Gambling bills to be heard by House Committee Tuesday
By News Release @ 10:11 PM :: 7286 Views :: Energy, Environment

HB 2759 would allow gaming on Hawaiian homelands.  HB 146 proposes an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution to permit gambling in our island state.  The House Judiciary committee has scheduled a hearing on these bills for Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 2:30 p.m. in conference room 325.

We are asking you to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and your own Representative to tell them that you don't want gambling in Hawaii. 

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Friday, February 5, 2010
Iraq War veteran launches HD 28 campaign in Chinatown
By News Release @ 8:31 PM :: 10337 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment

David Chang is a graduate of West Point, the United States Military Academy. He was selected as an East-West Center Fellow and holds a Masters of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and a Masters in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently serves in the Hawai'i Army National Guard as an Intelligence Officer. 

David is currently the CEO/President of WealthBridge Inc., a wealth management firm specializing in financial planning and business consulting. He is also the founder of PowerH2O, a premium bottled water company, and The Cabinet and Stone Factory, a remodeling and construction firm. 

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Friday, February 5, 2010
Full Text: Moody’s outlook for Hawaii shifts to “negative”
By News Release @ 7:06 PM :: 8839 Views :: Energy, Environment

What would change the rating up?

  • Rebuilding and maintenance of strong reserve levels.
  • Broader economic diversification, sustained job growth, and reduced vulnerability to the tourism industry.
  • Maintenance of structural budget balance.
  • Annual funding of pension and OPEB annual required contributions.

What would change the rating down?

  • Economic weakening leading to employment erosion.
  • Further deterioration of revenue trends leading to budget imbalance, liquidity pressure, and narrowing of financial position.
  • Increased use of non-recurring solutions to balance budget.
  • Failure to adopt a plan to cover expenditures once federal stimulus monies are no longer available
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Senate Committee considering Fiscal Stabilization Fund
By News Release @ 11:02 PM :: 5310 Views :: Energy, Environment

“The purpose of these two proposals is not to change the concept or use of the State’s Rainy Day Fund, but to ensure a steady source of revenue is available to build the fund balance for future emergencies,” said Linda Smith, senior policy advisor, in written testimony.  “We believe a constitutional amendment is the only way to safeguard against expending year-end general fund balances that in good years need to be saved rather than spent on new programs and services.”

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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Hint to Hawaii: Plastic Bag Ban overturned by Calif. court -- no EIS
By Selected News Articles @ 4:07 PM :: 24868 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Honolulu County, Democratic Party, Kauai County, DHHL, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

Hawaii Legislature's own papermill.  Built by feeeel-goood fake environmentalism.

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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Unemployment Insurance Tax: HB2169 to be heard Friday
By News Release @ 2:16 PM :: 5428 Views :: Energy, Environment

Although the current draft provides some tax assistance, the Chamber believes it does not go far enough to help reduce the "tax shock" and safeguard the statewide unemployment rate.  Therefore, we are asking the committee to amend the bill.

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