The State legislature was the scene of an anti-tax rally the afternoon of July 14.  Organized by www.OverTaxedHawaii.com 150 people came to denounce the "Barrel Tax" and demand the Democrat-controlled Legislature not override any tax vetoes.

A parallel event occurred along the Hilo Bayfront where 50 protesters gathered. 

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle vetoed three bills today that would have negatively affected Hawai‘i’s low-income and affordable housing supplies.  The Governor issued her vetoes to highlight the importance of housing needs during one of the state's most economically challenging times.

“Affordable housing options are scarce in Hawai‘i,” Governor Lingle stated.  “We should be passing laws that increase affordable housing options for Hawai‘i’s families, not limit them.”

• HONOLULU July 14th 3:00PM Signwaving 3:00PM & RALLY 5:00PM -- "Just say no to Taxes" Rally @ State Capitol
• HILO July 14th 4PM-6PM Signwaving along Hilo Bayfront at Kamehameha Statue 

Because we believe that furloughs are still the best way to address the fiscal crisis, we will likely appeal the Circuit Court’s recent ruling.  We are also developing layoff procedures, which may become a necessary but undesirable reality.

In 2000, Carlisle encouraged then Deputy Prosecutor Randall Lee’s investigation into illegal campaign contributions to Harris, and stood by Lee’s investigation and prosecution of contractors who laundered money to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris.

Bob Watada, then state campaign spending director, estimates that more than 100 companies laundered $1.5 million to Harris, constituting half of Harris' campaign war chest. Carlisle says if he is elected ... he will select people on the basis of talent, skill and experience and on what they know, not who they know.

As a result of declining state revenues, today Governor Linda Lingle vetoed 10 bills that would have spent funds not included in the state budget and which would further widen the state’s budget shortfall.  The Governor’s vetoes highlight the fact that the state cannot afford these programs, even those that have merit, during this difficult fiscal period.

“Combining top federal and state rates, and factoring in all deductions, the government would be taking over half of every additional dollar from high-income taxpayers in two-thirds of the states under this latest funding scheme,” Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge said. “In fact, even in the seven states with no income tax, the lowest top tax rate would be about 46%.”

The hardest-hit states would be Hawaii (55.8%), Oregon (55.8%) ....

Just 15 days into office, President Obama signed a bill expanding Medicaid eligibility that was paid for with a 156% tax hike on tobacco. Since slightly more than half of today’s smokers (53%) earn less than $36,000 per year, Obama’s first effort at expanding government’s role in health care also became his first broken promise. But that first Medicaid expansion was minor league compared to the estimated $1.5 trillion health care plan Congress is considering now.

On June 21, Walden was interviewed by Ben Barrack on right wing radio (KTEM, Temple City/Ft Hood, TX) and was joined later in the program by Birfistani lawyer and dentist, Dr. Orly Taitz, Esq. The argument got pretty hot pretty soon in.

Plus, Walden said to Dr. Orly Taitz, Esq.: “Don’t patronize me, dentist!”

Yes, he did!

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began their hearings on the 1,500 page Waxman-Markey cap and trade legislation Tuesday, and ranking member Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) won a startling admission from Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson. Inhofe produced an EPA chart generated last year during the Senate’s debate of the Lieberman-Warner cap and trade legislation. The chart showed that the carbon reductions under that bill would not materially effect global carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. Inhofe then asked Jackson if she agreed with the chart’s conclusions. Jackson replied: “I believe that essential parts of the chart are that the U.S. action alone will not impact CO2 levels.”

Administration’s Position Still Unknown, Sources say Department of Justice Seeks Changes to Bill....

The vote postponement follows some written criticisms of the bill by prominent members of the Native Hawaiian legal community.

In a four-page analysis of the legislation sent to the Natural Resources Committee, the Native Hawaiian Bar Association voiced concern that some provisions would grant the federal government too much immunity against potential claims by Native Hawaiians, especially for land.

(They want the Akaka Tribe but they are unwilling to trade away the PASH decision and the opportunity to shake down future Hokulias.)

The final tax collections represent $56.7 million additional general fund revenue loss compared to what the Council on Revenues had projected for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2009 when it last met on May 28.  The additional revenue loss means the state is now facing a budget shortfall in excess of $786 million through June 30, 2011.

I inquired by email to Councilman Greenwell asking if the now infamous article on Guantanamo detainees was true.  In that email, I indicated that I would circulate his response to the same people.  Well here it is.

Mr. Greenwell opted to reply by phone on July 2.  My initial reaction to the call was “wow" “pleasant surprise”, “approval” and those kinds of feelings. But the pleasure was short lived. After but a few seconds, it changed to disappointment and dismay.

It wasn’t more than two or three sentences into the conversation that he became rude, arrogant, combative and boorish!

Here’s how it went…

House minority staff report that the Akaka Bill, HR2314 Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, is scheduled to be "marked up" by the US House Committee on Natural Resources Thursday, July 9th at 10AM. 

UPDATE 4PM 7-8-09: House Minority press secretary Jill Strait reports that the Akaka Bill has been removed from the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the US House Committee on Natural Resources.   

Celebrating his first 100 days in office, President Barack Obama told the American people: “One hundred days ago, in the midst of the worst economic crisis in half a century, we passed the most sweeping economic recovery act in history…One hundred days later, we are already seeing results.”

And he’s right, we are. Unemployment has risen to 9.5%, stocks fell to their lowest level in 10 weeks on Tuesday, and consumer credit delinquencies have hit a record high.

Responding to the obvious failure of the Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus package, some liberals in the House and Senate are calling for a second (really the third when you count President Bush’s 2008 effort) stimulus. How big of a second stimulus? Center for Economic and Policy Research co-director Dean Baker told Politico: “To my mind it’s pretty obvious we need another stimulus package, probably a lot bigger than the last one.”

In response to the state’s financial woes, Djou has advocated curtailing expenditures by shrinking the state budget and scaling back government programs. He has been a vocal critic of Hannemann’s proposal of a 20-mile elevated rail line that would run throughout Honolulu. Hannemann has said the jobs needed to construct the rail system would stimulate the economy, while Djou has charged that the cost would outstrip the job-related benefits.

“Charles is trying to make it understood that you can’t solve all your problems by raising taxes,” said Jim Bryan, a spokesman for the Hawaii Republican Party. “It’s going to hurt people further who have already suffered from this economy.”

Richard Ianieri, the defense contractor charged today with accepting $200,000 in kickbacks from a subcontractor, was president of a company that gave more money to Rep. John Murtha than any other lawmaker. That company, Coherent Systems International, received millions of dollars in earmarks from Murtha, and continued giving money to the Pennsylvania Democrat after Ianieri left Coherent and Argon ST bought it.

This past Friday the CBO released a fuller scoring of HELP’s legislation, and indeed, the overall impact on our nation’s debt is lower: a mere $597 billion would be added to federal budget deficits over the 2010-2019 period.

How did HELP lower the bill’s budget busting total? Did they “bend the curve” on health care costs? Did they weed out administrative costs? Eliminate waste? Nope. The Washington Post reports:

Committee staffers reworked the bill — and added a new provision requiring most employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance — to arrive at the lower estimate. Under the new proposal, any business with more than 25 workers would be required to offer coverage or pay a $750 penalty per employee.

In other words, the HELP committee wants to pay for their health care plan in classic “tax-and-spend” liberal fashion: by instituting a crippling new tax on our nation’s businesses. And not just any new tax. A tax directed like a heat seeking missile at job creation: an employer mandate.

• SB 1058 SD2 HD2 CD1 relating to controlled substances.  This bill attempts to circumvent provisions of federal controlled substances laws as enforced by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.  Portions of this bill may also violate Section 14 of Article II of the State Constitution regarding the scope of subjects each law enacted by the Legislature may encompass.
• SB 912 SD2 HD2 CD1 relating to permanency hearings
• HB 1611 HD2 SD2 CD1 relating to labeling of meat and fish products
• HB 690 HD2 SD2 CD1 relating to insurance

"This is a reckless fiscal maneuver that dramatically increases taxpayers' cost and an inappropriate use of the defense budget to spread political pork.  This is nothing more than an all too typical Congressional move to spend public money for the sake of spending money," stated Djou.  "This is exactly the reason why Hawaii needs a new voice in D.C."

Honolulu AP: Several Hawaii churches are uniting to register tens of thousands of new voters in hopes of influencing 2010 elections for the Legislature and governor's office.  Hawaii Family Forum is leading the effort, which also includes several Protestant churches the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, and the Mormon Church.

Chart compares number of union members vs adult citizen church members.  Even in the 2nd most unionized US state, churches are 64% larger than unions.

Next protest July 14: Honolulu info>>>www.OvertaxedHawaii.com  and July 14 Hilo 4PM - 6PM Hilo Bayfront signwave 

Advertiser: 7 Hawaii 'tea parties' take aim at spending, increasing tax burden

WHT Kona: Protesters celebrate Fourth with TEA party

check back for updates...

All the details and contact info for TEA Party July 4 rallies on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Islands.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin will resign her office in a few weeks, she said during a news conference at her Wasilla home Friday morning.  Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor's Picnic at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks on Saturday, July 25, Palin said.

Governor Lingle said that she and her cabinet will be working late into the night and through the weekend to plan the next steps following Friday's court ruling on her furlough plan.

 No surprise here.  The unions shopped for Sakamoto amidst the Hawaii Judiciary's sea of plenty.  Here are some quick hits from the local media...more updates as they become available....

Here are the last two days of public commentary on Robert 'Kelly' Greenwell's invitation to resettle Guantanamo detainees on the Big Island.  At top a letter from Hawaii County GOP Chair Daryl Smith.  

Already Amazon.com and Overstock.com have officially sent out notification that they are severing their “affiliate” relationships with Hawai‘i.  Other well known internet-based firms, such as eBay are likely to do the same if prompt action is not taken.

The NY Times fails to mention that Eid al-Adha falls on Sunday, September 11 in the year 2016 and Eid al-Fitr will begin at sunset on September 9 and continue to sunset on Friday September 10 in the year 2010.

Inouye reported ownership of Central Pacific shares worth $350,000 to $700,000, some held by his wife, at the end of 2007 [5]. The shares represented at least two-thirds of Inouye's total reported assets. Inouye has requested a delay in filing his annual financial disclosure for 2008, which was due this spring, and he declined to provide the current value of his investment. Since the end of 2007, the bank's stock has lost 79 percent of its value.

Central Pacific was founded in 1954 by a group of World War II veterans including Inouye who were emerging leaders in Hawaii's Japanese American community.

Union leaders are playing with their members livelihoods! And they are calling for an increase in GE Taxes! The union bosses are pushing their membership to rally at the Capital June 30th, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. We need you to call radio shows, write letters to the editor and call/email Senator Hanabusa and Speaker Say to let them know your cost of living is already too high. Want to be part of the solution? This is what YOU can do...

Specific areas of concern include bills that would extract more taxes from state residents (HB 1271, SB 1678 and HB 1544); impact end-of-life choices (HB 1379); curtail affordable housing choices (SB 1160 and SB 1350); and, remove the Public Utility Commission’s oversight to control basic telephone service (SB 603).

In addition, due to the unprecedented $2.7 billion revenue shortfall between now and June 30, 2011, as projected by the Council on Revenues, the Lingle-Aiona Administration has increased scrutiny of all bills for potential budgetary implications.  As a result, a number of bills were put on the potential veto list because they call for new or increased spending at a time when the State cannot afford to expand the cost of government or further deplete the State’s limited fiscal resources.  Twelve bills on the list fall into this category of potentially negative fiscal implications (HB 36, HB 343, HB 358, HB 982, HB 986, HB 989, HB 1504, HB 1809, SB 266, SB 423, SB 1248 and SB 1665).

Local, national and international representatives will gather to discuss topics about Hawai‘i’s past, present and future, including what Hawai‘i means to the world and the emerging role of our state in the global community in the next 50 years.  Major topics and themes that will be discussed throughout the conference include: the 21^st Century Economy, Education for the Next Generation, Energy for Tomorrow, Technology in Our Daily Lives, and Native Hawaiians: Cultural Navigation in a Sea of Change. 

Unite and inspire 80% of the Christian Church to register to vote in July of 2009.  Get 80% of the Christian Church to vote Christian values in November of 2010.  

“We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population….” –Margaret Sanger, Founder, Planned Parenthood

Water vapour was responsible for 95 per cent of the greenhouse effect, an effect which was vital to keep the world warm, he explained.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today released a list of judicial nominees that was provided to her by the Judicial Selection Commission to fill the position of chief judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.  Governor Lingle is making the list available to the public to encourage public comment on the nominees.

Sometimes you just have to laugh out loud at those who consider themselves to be "conscious, enlightened, and progressive".

Bermuda and Palau may not be the only beautiful tropical islands to host illegal Islamist combatants being released from US custody at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station. If a Hawaii County Councilman and a Kauai County activist get their way, some would get a new home—and complete freedom--on two of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands.

Residents who are interested in serving on the advisory council for their respective island should submit a letter and resume to the appropriate liaison office by June 30, 2009.

“This is not something we want to do, but something we have to do to balance the state budget and address the unprecedented fiscal emergency we are in due to the projected $2.7 billion revenue shortfall,” Governor Lingle said.  “I appreciate the understanding of the State employees who will be affected by the furlough and admire the cooperation they have demonstrated in helping to ensure that state services will continue to be provided when the furlough plan begins on July 1.”

The executive order refers to the furlough plan announced on June 18, 2009, which describes furlough schedules of specific departments and agencies, and includes furlough calendars.

Independent estimates say that families could pay $3,000 more a year on energy and the entire plan would take $2 trillion from our economy in just over eight years.

Some of the biggest porkers in the House authorization bill were Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), with 17 projects worth $51,646,000...$3,500,000 by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) for BAE Systems in Honolulu, Hawaii...$2,550,000 by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) for whale and dolphin hearing....

Obama: "When a young woman gets shot on the street when she gets out of her car that's a problem."

McCain: "Today I and all America pays tribute to a brave young woman who was trying to exercise her fundamental human rights and was killed on the streets of Tehran.  All Americans are with her.  Our thoughts and our prayers are for her."

NBC's Chuck Todd: "The honeymoon is coming to an end for President Obama, but it's not personal. It's professional, as now the public appears to be judging the president on some of his actions."

A NYT poll, which predominantly questioned Obama voters, showed only 43% of Americans would be willing to pay $500 a year more in taxes to pay for universal coverage. And the NYT did not ask how many Americans would be willing to give up their current health plan (77% of Americans are satisfied with their current plan) in exchange for a government-run option.

A DailyKos/Research 2000 poll conducted June 15 to June 17 showed Abercrombie leading Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann in a Democratic primary match up of likely voters 42 to 22 percent, but 36 percent of voters were undecided. The poll's margin of error is 4 percentage points....

The poll showed Abercrombie's general election race could be more competitive than the state's typically Democratic lean would suggest. Abercrombie, who is serving his 10th full term in office, led Republican Lieutenant Gov. James "Duke" Aiona 45 to 36 percent with 19 percent undecided in a hypothetical general election match-up.

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, regulating carbon through the Clean Air Act would expose at least one million mid-sized commercial buildings to draconian environmental regulations. One-fifth of all food service businesses, one-third of all health care businesses, one-half of the entire lodging industry, and even 10% of all buildings used for worship would be under the EPA’s hammer.

“The primary goal in developing the furlough plans for each department was to achieve the required operational savings, while minimizing disruption to public services,” said Governor Lingle.  “I recognize the impact the furloughs will have on many employees and their families.  This is not something we want to do, but something we have to do to balance the state budget.  We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as our state employees adjust to the new schedules.”