Hawaii State Government

... going through the budget with a fine-toothed comb is long overdue, and it would likely net more than enough savings to preserve our tax cuts ....

... state and county testimonies submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in the first half of March 2026 ....

... We reviewed 76 House and Senate bills introduced during the 2026 legislative session, proposing 52 special and revolving funds. None of the proposed funds satisfied the criteria set forth in Section 23-11, HRS, for special and revolving funds ....

... What will likely follow will be a bit of negotiating, most of which will occur behind closed doors ....

... four bills remain alive and have successfully cleared their committee hearings. These measures are now pending third reading ....

"...And so the fair thing to do would be to have the attorney general expedite an investigation...."

...CLUE:  This is one of the 'justifications' for Green's $1.8B tax hike....

... Otaguro admits HDoT has not sought a legal opinion from the Attorney General’s office on whether Act 152 really requires the project ....  

... there are bills still alive this session that propose much-needed reforms .... 

... CLUE: Refusal to answer = ‘Yes’ ....

... Long-Range Land Transportation Plan -- Public Meetings Begin Tuesday March 10 ....

"... DOBOR simply does not know whether it recovered from vessel owners or their insurers the costs it expended ..."

... lawmakers debated bills surrounding sports betting, legal rights for coral reefs and feral chickens, but an ongoing bribery investigation cast a shadow over the capitol ....

... The Hawaii Democratic Party now has 30 days to give Gov. Josh Green a list of potential candidates to replace Holt in the House. Green will then have 60 days to select Holt’s replacement ....

...The 10-year contract totaling approximately $160 million will expand the current program from 17 sites to 187 dual-enforcement cameras across each of the state's major islands....

... Carpenters Union questioned donations Luke received from then-indicted Navatek head Milton Kao in connection with tax credits she supported in 2017 ....

...Grassroot’s priorities this session include defending the state’s income tax cuts passed in 2024, opposing all other tax hikes and fees, supporting occupational licensing reform and advocating housing policies that could boost homebuilding....

... When Gov Green leaves the state, Lt Gov Luke becomes acting Governor.  Maybe she might pardon herself ....

... Under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes § 28-8.5, Attorney General Ann Lopez has the discretion to appoint a special assistant ....

...All Senate and House committee hearings scheduled for February 9 will be postponed, and floor sessions in both chambers for Session Day #12 will not be convened....