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Entries for July 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Akaka Bill postponed: Dems balk at OHA cronies' demands for more loot
By Selected News Articles @ 8:23 PM :: 11979 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

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.)

Read More..
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Hawaii general fund revenues decrease by $436 million
By News Release @ 8:18 PM :: 5442 Views :: Energy, Environment

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.

Read More..
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Guantanamo Greenwell: "If you voted for me you have to accept my position"
By Letters to the Editor @ 4:47 PM :: 14985 Views :: Hawaii County , Military, Politicians

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…

Read More..
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Akaka Bill UPDATE: House Committee CANCELS Thursday vote
By Andrew Walden @ 11:30 AM :: 13751 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

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.   

Read More..
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Democrats begin Trillion-dollar push for second "stimulus"
By Heritage Foundation @ 8:58 AM :: 5096 Views :: National News, Ethics

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.”

Read More..
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Djou campaign makes national news
By Selected News Articles @ 5:23 PM :: 10453 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

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.”

Read More..
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Defense Contractor Charged With Kickbacks Helped Fund Murtha's Campaigns (Abercrombie's too)
By Selected News Articles @ 3:42 PM :: 11944 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

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.

Read More..
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Job Killer: Obama’s new Health Care Tax
By Heritage Foundation @ 12:15 PM :: 6000 Views :: National News, Ethics

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.

Read More..
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Gov. Lingle vetoes four bills which "violate federal statutes"
By News Release @ 11:55 AM :: 6363 Views :: Energy, Environment
  • 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
Read More..
Monday, July 6, 2009
Djou denounces Abercrombie's "$20B reckless fiscal maneuver"
By News Release @ 6:34 PM :: 9803 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

"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."

Read More..
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Churches begin registering voters
By Selected News Articles @ 4:59 PM :: 8613 Views :: Energy, Environment

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.

Read More..
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Protesters gather at July 4 T.E.A. Parties across Hawaii
By Andrew Walden @ 9:14 AM :: 15809 Views :: Taxes, TEA Party

 

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...

Read More..
Friday, July 3, 2009
Taxed Enough Already? Rally July 4 Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Kauai, Maui
By Andrew Walden @ 11:53 PM :: 12232 Views :: Taxes, TEA Party

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

Read More..
Friday, July 3, 2009
Gov. Sarah Palin to resign her office
By Selected News Articles @ 9:54 AM :: 4268 Views

GOP sources tell CNN Palin will not seek re-election.

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.

Read More..
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Response to Sakamoto ruling: Governor to Continue Negotiations, Seek Additional Cuts from Departments
By News Release @ 8:58 PM :: 4727 Views :: Energy, Environment

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.

Read More..
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Unions' hand-picked Judge blocks furloughs
By Selected News Articles @ 1:18 PM :: 7171 Views :: Energy, Environment

 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....

Read More..
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hawaii Co. GOP to "GTMO" Greenwell: Call it quits
By @ 12:42 PM :: 10269 Views :: Hawaii County , Politicians, Republican Party

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.  

Read More..
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Gov. Lingle vetoes online tax bill
By News Release @ 4:19 PM :: 4703 Views :: Energy, Environment

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.

Read More..
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
NY City Council backs closure of schools for Islamic Feast on Sept. 11th
By Andrew Walden @ 3:34 PM :: 17083 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family

  

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.

Read More..
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