Entries for September 2012

• House: Minnesota Land Exchange
• House: Government Surveillance Authorities
• House: Sequestration Replacement
• House: Continuing Resolution
• House: Energy Department Loan Guarantees

Over the next 10 years, ObamaCare will reduce Medicare spending by $716 billion....

Forty visionaries signed a piece of paper 225 years ago today that became one of the most vital documents in the world: the U.S. Constitution.

$5.23 trillion in new debt vs. $1.68 trillion to the economy

Mazie Hirono voted last week to keep in place $1.2 trillion in automatic budget cuts that will hurt Hawaii’s economy ....

It took a Federal Freedom of Information Act request to find out, but that is the message Hawai`i Free Press received from federal officials.

Four Republicans endorsed by UPW...

"After all, the winner of this election will be representing us in the United States Senate and arguing for Hawaii's interests in a Capitol full of skilled debaters."

"The provision ... has been applied in ... high-profile prosecutions such as the misdemeanor case last year against former City Councilman Rod Tam for stealing city money and violating state campaign spending laws." -- Star-Advertiser

A new Honda Accord costs about the same amount no matter where you buy it.  But every dime you spend after you leave the dealer’s lot is affected greatly by where you live.... 

One of the recommendations made by consultants to the current Tax Review Commission is almost an after thought, you know like closing the barn door after the horses have escaped....

...truly massive scammers building on empty fields in Kalaeloa, DoE schools, or Kalihi warehouse roofs can now rack up the credits $5M at a time without straining their wrists....

Right now, there is no change in the tax law or its application. The new temporary administrative rules have NOT been issued yet....

The movie depicts modern Egypt, followed by an algebra problem, followed by events from the Koran. The viewer is asked to solve for X....

...terminate the revocable permit of Hawai‘i Pack and Paddle LLC to conduct commercial tours via kayak to the historic Ka‘awaloa Flats section of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park in Kona....

• Assistance to Dam and Reservoir Owners
• Appointment of Retired Judges to Serve as Emeritus Judges

Litigation continues over the adequacy of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for Honolulu’s rail rapid transit project....

Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Lihue....

Issuing additional currency ... does little to raise the real GDP of the US, but does reduce the value of the dollar, and in turn increase the cost of commodities (which) will pressure profitability of businesses, and increase the costs of consumers....

Tren Urbano (or City Train) in San Juan, Puerto Rico is a perfect comparison with Honolulu's heavy rail....

Fitch views maintenance of the system's strong financial margins as necessary at this rating level, given the size of the CIP and increasing debt burden. Any deterioration could result in rating pressure....

"These business owners are looking for our government to restore much-needed certainty and confidence in our nation’s economy,” said Governor Lingle

...the actual number or percentage of unionized charter schools varies greatly from state to state....

 ... federal civilian workforce, where staffing levels and salaries would be docked more than 8 percent .... 

Obama’s strategy for this part of the world started out much the way Jimmy Carter’s did—with acts of conciliation and accommodation....

Partisan Average includes 2004, 2006, and 2010 senate and 2006 and 2010 governor....

The U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Thursday approved an amendment to a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill to reflect the Hawaii state law creating the latest version of the Akaka Tribe 'roll'....

"It is firmly within the constitutional rights of American citizens and, contrary to the embassy's statement, within the free speech rights of all human beings to speak openly and critically about Islam...."

The high-tech buoy network faced $4.5 million in cuts in February, and Hirono opposed bipartisan House legislation to fully fund the critical system for FY2013....

Long-term care, which includes nursing home and hospice services for seniors, makes up a significant portion of Medicaid spending around the country....

Moody's announced recently that it would no longer accept state and local governments' pension liability figures at face value....

Protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy in Yemen today and set fire to a building....

Responses from WMA property owners are running over 98% opposed to the project, with less than 1% in favor. Two surveys last year across Molokai found opposition first at 93%, which then grew to 97%, with again only 1% in favor.

Apple none-too-subtly pressures the Search Advisory Committee to select Lokelani Lindsey's 'Broken Trust' enforcer as AD....

Stop lying to the public!  And please, feel free to forward this to your brother....

$75,000,000 - Various Schools, statewide - Design, construction and works of art....

The deaths in Benghazi, Libya, of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and others in the service of the United States provides a tragic reminder of the great sacrifices that U.S. diplomatic, military, and intelligence personnel serving abroad make to defend America ....

The only debate before a live audience Hirono agreed to for the entire campaign was hosted last week by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii....

 ‘Obama, Obama, There Are Still a Billion Osamas!’ -- The chant on the streets, three years after Obama's Cairo Speech.

 The investigation was launched based on information provided by the Hawaiʻi County Office of Elections involving elections conducted in 2010.

"Your knowledge and sensitivity to business issues were key factors in our endorsement process."

"A more business-friendly environment would help companies conduct business thereby growing the economy and helping the people of Hawai‘i."

Budget negotiations during the 2013 Congressional legislative session will likely determine the direction of the US government’s Aaa rating and negative outlook, says Moody’s Investors Service....

...in Afghanistan, Charles saw the best and worst in humanity. He saw the selfless sacrifice of our American soldiers but also utter human depravity in Taliban insurgents....

Eleven years ago today, terrorists shattered America's sense of safety. Generations who did not remember Pearl Harbor suddenly knew the shock of an attack on U.S. soil....

Former Governor Linda Lingle, candidate for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat, released the following statement, recognizing the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks....

...all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance....

Hawaiian Airlines recently revised its expected 3Q2012 revenue per revenue passenger mile from up 1.5% to down 1.5% to a decrease of 1% to 4%.

Tuesday, September 11, 7–9 pm at Boston Basil’s Restaurant & Pizzeria 75-5707 Alii Drive (downtown Kailua-Kona)