|
Entries for April 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011 |
|
U.S. credit rating outlook lowered by S&P
By Selected News Articles @ 10:48 AM :: 3554 Views :: National News, Ethics
|
From 2003 to 2008, the nation's general government debt varied between 2% and 5% of GDP.... In 2009, as the government increased spending to stimulate the economy, S&P said the U.S. debt load "ballooned" to more than 11% and has yet to come down….
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 18, 2011 |
|
Birther Trump calls for Tax Increases, Backs Obamacare
By Selected News Articles @ 9:59 AM :: 4179 Views :: National News, Ethics
|
More evidence that Birtherism is nothing but a scheme to help Obama get reelected....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 17, 2011 |
|
How They Voted: House approves Pension Tax and GE Tax Hikes
By Andrew Walden @ 9:19 PM :: 7595 Views :: Taxes
|
In the Hawaii State House, Tax Day was April 12. On that day, legislators voted up several key tax increases approved earlier by the Senate and forwarded them to the House-Senate Conference Committees which will be meeting behind closed doors for the next two weeks.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 17, 2011 |
|
Hawaii Windfarms killing endangered Birds: After five years Mitigation Lags
By Selected News Articles @ 5:30 PM :: 13482 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
"They are doing a good job," said Lance Holter, chairman of the Sierra Club Maui Group.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 17, 2011 |
|
Submerged Electronics: Big Isle Robotics Teams face off underwater
By News Release @ 2:21 PM :: 5258 Views :: Hawaii County , Energy, Environment
|
Working in the complex world of submerged electronics, students and their mentors created remotely operating vehicles (ROVs) which are driven from a control system above the water's surface.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 17, 2011 |
|
Hawaii Robotics Teams advance to Quarter-Finals
By News Release @ 2:01 PM :: 5554 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
In heart-stopping non-stop action, each of the four Hawaii teams competed with precision in the quarter final matches, but ultimately fell points short of playing in the semi-finals.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 17, 2011 |
|
Democrat Staffer, Obama voter heads Trump’s Birther Campaign
By Selected News Articles @ 12:27 PM :: 7837 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
The man behind Donald Trump's possible 2012 presidential campaign is a registered Democrat who voted for Barack Obama in 2008....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 16, 2011 |
|
HGEA Contract: Government Workers get Paid to Stay Home Three Months
By News Release @ 3:32 AM :: 7100 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
State government workers currently get 13 paid holidays, 21 days of paid vacation and 21 days of sick leave each year. And in 2012 they will get 14 days vacation—since government workers don’t have to work on election day.
“On top of these 55 paid days off a year, Gov. Abercrombie has given HGEA workers 9 more days of paid administrative leave,” Rep Gene Ward of Hawaii Kai pointed out. “This equals 64 days, or almost three months a year.”
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 16, 2011 |
|
Submarine Robot Battle: Big Island Teams to race in Hilo Pool
By News Release @ 1:03 AM :: 5485 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill
|
Dozens of Hawaii elementary, middle and high school students will take their robotic creations to the next level this weekend, by fully submerging them underwater....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 16, 2011 |
|
VIDEO: House GOP speaks up on Pension Tax, GE Tax, Internet Tax, Fees, and Special Funds
By Video @ 12:38 AM :: 6040 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
SB570: Provides for the taxation of certain pension incomes. Eliminates the deduction for state taxes paid for taxpayers with income above specified thresholds. Places temporary limitations on claims for itemized tax deductions. Delays the standard deduction and personal exemption increases....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
SB756: Satellite TV Tax in omnibus Tax Bill
By Video @ 11:50 PM :: 6260 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
The Hawaii Legislature wants to raise your taxes by imposing a new tax on 28,000 Hawaii families – including YOU – that choose satellite for their television programming.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
Fontaine Factor: Judges speak up on Drug Courts
By Video @ 11:13 PM :: 9758 Views :: Kauai County, DHHL, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Representative George Fontaine discusses Hawaii Drug Courts with Chief Judge, Judge Shackley Raffetto from Maui and Judge Michael D. Wilson from Oahu....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
Creative Accounting 101: Special Fund Raids
By Grassroot Institute @ 10:45 PM :: 6419 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
After the second crossover this week, 393 bills are still alive at the Legislature as lawmakers are trying to find every means possible to come up with a balanced budget, even ways that stand a good chance of being challenged in court....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
Akaka’s Whistleblower Bill cited as example of Over-criminalization
By Heritage Foundation @ 10:00 PM :: 7294 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
the legislation would suspend the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals sole jurisdiction over federal employee whistleblower cases for a period of five years....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
Hawaii sends 24 teams to Florida robotics World Championships
By News Release @ 9:45 PM :: 5615 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Hawaii’s VEX Robotics students will join more than 570 robotics teams representing 14 different nations to compete for the World Championship.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
Birthers thank Abercrombie, Obama Thanks Birthers
By Andrew Walden @ 12:47 PM :: 7501 Views :: Obama
|
... here is a slice of today’s news which once again makes it crystal clear that birtherism is designed to help Obama ....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 15, 2011 |
|
No New Taxes! Rally April 15--Honolulu, Kona, Hilo, Kahului, Lihue
By News Release @ 8:27 AM :: 23661 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Honolulu County, Democratic Party, Kauai County, DHHL, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Hawaii has one of the highest State Tax Rates in the United States, and yet the State Legislature is considering many new increases in taxes including income, excise, and other fees. Are you Taxed Enough Already?
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, April 14, 2011 |
|
HGEA Negotiators: Hide furlough days, recoup losses after Legislature adjourns
By Andrew Walden @ 9:04 PM :: 9770 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
An internal HGEA memo sent to the membership earlier this week ties the HGEA’s tentative settlement to the Legislative agenda and promises that HGEA will enjoy “equity with other unions” who will likely settle their contracts after the Legislative session is over.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, April 14, 2011 |
|
When "Tolerance" Trumps Freedom: The Growing Threat to Conscience Rights
By Heritage Foundation @ 6:45 PM :: 5348 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
In an effort to save their careers, two pro-life pharmacists have fought an extensive legal battle asking the state to respect their religious objections to providing Plan B, an abortifacient drug. Last Wednesday, a circuit court upheld the rights of the two professionals....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, April 14, 2011 |
|
Marumoto: Pension Tax is a foot in the door towards taxing moderate, low income Pensioners
By News Release @ 1:13 PM :: 7951 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
If we pass this measure today, we will have our "foot in the door" to start taxing the pensions of all our seniors. We may end up taxing pensions at $10,000 or $5,000 or maybe at no threshold at all. If we returned to the Governor's original proposal of a $37,500 threshold, it will be harmful to our low-income seniors.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
Obama’s Hopeless Deficit Speech: Dramatic, Excessive, Inaccurate -- Ryan
By News Release @ 7:48 PM :: 4591 Views :: National News, Ethics
|
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul D. Ryan made the following statement after listening to the President’s speech on deficit reduction....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
How They Voted: SB1329 House passes Motor Vehicle tax Hike
By Grassroot Institute @ 7:26 PM :: 6179 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Senate Bill 1329 in its current form will increase the cost to register an average car, which weighs up to 4,000 pounds, from $30 to $70 per year.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
Honolulu Councilmembers reject Berg resolution, cite fear of retaliation
By News Release @ 7:05 PM :: 8184 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Berg’s proposed resolution – adopted unanimously in the Council's government affairs committee two weeks ago – was voted down six to three amid concerns that most council members found the timing of Berg’s “message sending” resolution too risky ....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
Inspecting his cattle: Jeff Stone Polls Democratic Senate Primary
By Selected News Articles @ 1:40 PM :: 5693 Views
|
The poll, conducted by SMS for developer Jeff Stone, was taken among 700 voters statewide between March 18 and April 3. The margin of error was 3.7 percentage points.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
Hanabusa: Lingering resentment toward Case among “Multi-cultural base”
By Selected News Articles @ 1:28 PM :: 5755 Views :: Environment
|
This is the old-boy response to Ed Case claiming to have made up with Inouye.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
How Think Tanks, TEA Party killed Rail Boondoggle
By Heritage Foundation @ 12:18 PM :: 5700 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
While much of this has been in the national news, what most journalists and commentators have overlooked is the decisive role a handful of pro-market think tanks and Tea Party activists played in putting these projects in the morgue.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 |
|
VIDEO: Waikele Robbery fails as Crooks can’t break Glass
By Video @ 10:53 AM :: 3951 Views :: Maui County
|
Surveillance video shows the would-be robbers using a hammer, a shotgun and their feet to try to get into the case Saturday night as bystanders scattered about the Zales store at the Waikele Premium Outlets on Oahu.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 |
|
Brookings: Honolulu Rail Cost Overruns inevitable
By Heritage Foundation @ 8:37 PM :: 9513 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Winston criticizes in particular the now-under-construction Dulles Airport rail line that will become a part of the Washington, D.C.–area transit system, noting that the route is not cost-effective. He characterizes cost overruns on the Dulles rail line and the soon-to-be-under-construction Honolulu rail line as “inevitable”....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 |
|
Berg: Council could reverse Ansaldo Rail Contract
By News Release @ 2:59 PM :: 4882 Views
|
"This resolution is intended to empower the City Council to reverse the astonishingly twisted priorities of the administration and the misguided transit team."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 |
|
POLITICO claims Sen. Daniel Inouye goes silent on Hawaii Senate race
By Selected News Articles @ 2:29 PM :: 7234 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
This article is obviously planted in POLITICO by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to foster the illusion that Ed Case has it all wrapped up.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
Atlas Shrugged to Open In Honolulu April 15
By FreedomWorks @ 8:49 PM :: 10491 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
- Consolidated Theatres Kahala 8 4211 Waialae Avenue #3080, Honolulu, HI 96816
- Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 735 B Iwilei Road, Honolulu, HI 96817
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
HCR71: HPV Vaccination Mandate Deferred
By Janet M. Grace @ 7:51 PM :: 6608 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Human life advocates have achieved yet another victory in state public policy. On April 1, the Hawai'i House Health Committee deferred HCR 71 regarding universal human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
Heritage: Federal Budget Compromise leaves plenty of work to be done
By Heritage Foundation @ 7:39 PM :: 4304 Views :: National News, Ethics
|
This Congress was sent to Washington with a simple mandate from the American people: cut federal spending and get government under control. Friday night's budget compromise to avert a government shutdown embraced these principles, but also left plenty of work to be done.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
Sumitomo Files Protest: Flawed Rail bid selection may cost taxpayers $900M
By News Release @ 6:52 PM :: 4380 Views
|
“Our concerns have only intensified following our debriefing meeting with the City last Monday and as we thoroughly reviewed the documents that were made available to us."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
VIDEO: Mitt Romney announces Republican Presidential Bid
By Video @ 3:07 PM :: 4394 Views :: National News, Ethics
|
Romney-- "It is time that we put America back on a course of greatness, with a growing economy, good jobs and fiscal discipline in Washington"
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
April 11, 2011 How Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation Voted
By News Release @ 2:21 PM :: 6610 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
- Senate: Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011
- Senate: To ban EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions
- House: Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011
- House: Net Neutrality Disapproval
- House: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
Daily KOS: I had really hoped we were done with Ed Case
By Selected News Articles @ 10:44 AM :: 7807 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
I would have thought this track record would have been enough to put an end to Case's political ambitions, but ambition is what defines Ed Case—ambition, and douchiness.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 11, 2011 |
|
Djou: Hawaii needs Civil Service Reform
By Rep Charles Djou @ 12:15 AM :: 10495 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
The last time Hawaii had a real conversation about reforming the civil service system was in 1999 lead by then Democrat Governor Ben Cayetano.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 10, 2011 |
|
VIDEO: Sen. Slom introduces Balanced Budget with no tax hikes
By Video @ 4:04 PM :: 8282 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Sen. Sam Slom on Friday proposed eliminating about 1,500 jobs and about 500 vacant positions as a way to reduce government costs.... Slom's bare-bones budget would cost $4.4 billion in general funds, a $500 million decline from the current year's budget and $1 billion less than the House's proposal.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, April 10, 2011 |
|
VIDEO: Abercrombie holds fake news Conference to Announce HGEA's fake 'sacrifice'
By Video @ 1:20 AM :: 6509 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
This video of Abercrombie announcing the HGEA contact April 7 looks like a news conference, and was billed by the Abercrombie administration as a news conference, but it wasn’t.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 9, 2011 |
|
Abercrombie: State could seize 1/3 of Molokai for Wind Farm
By Selected News Articles @ 3:38 PM :: 12417 Views :: Maui County, Energy, Greenmail
|
If the Molokai landowner is incapable of participating in a viable plan for the island, the state is willing to exercise its right (sic) to condemn lands for this public (sic) purpose....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 9, 2011 |
|
Tsunami: Obama signs Disaster Declaration for Hawaii
By News Release @ 3:28 AM :: 7686 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Obama declared the damage sustained from the March 11, 2011 tsunami a major disaster, which enables the State of Hawai'i to receive federal funding for repairs
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 9, 2011 |
|
VIDEO: Heritage Foundation Leader interviewed in Hawaii
By Video @ 2:58 AM :: 5486 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
April 5, 2011 Behind the News - Becky Norton Dunlop of the Heritage Foundation on Obamacare and America's Future….
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 9, 2011 |
|
House GOP: HGEA Settlement is expensive, unfair
By News Release @ 2:55 AM :: 5630 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
The new agreement with the HGEA will increase state labor costs by at least $65 million a year, the House Republican Caucus announced. And the agreement gives state workers up to 9 additional paid days off of work per year. This comes on top of 13 days paid vacation and 21 days of sick leave per year.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, April 8, 2011 |
|
Abercrombie’s $100M omission: HGEA settlement tied to other secret labor agreements
By Andrew Walden @ 10:09 PM :: 11208 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle says the Comp Time and the elimination of scheduled furloughs counterbalance the 5% wage cut and amount to a 1.5% raise. The Grassroot Institute estimates the cost at more than $100M over the course of the contract.
But “Comp Time” is not Abercrombie’s only omission....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
|