Entries for February 2013

...hospice care was hit by a $17 billion payment cut from 2013 to 2022.  Now, contrary to all of the misleading claims, this effect is already beginning....

...lobbyists are relied upon heavily to vie for the interests of the higher-income consumers and producers, leaving the burden of the new tax to lower income consumers who cannot afford representation....

More than 46 million pounds of waste was generated from solar companies in California between 2007 and mid-2011....

The reality is that calories in the American diet from added sugars in soda have dropped nearly 40 percent since 2000....

On a dark night, with stars sparkling high above the shores of the Hawaiian Islands....

The President’s statement saluting “the courage and sacrifice of those who serve in dangerous places at great personal risk” unfortunately rings hollow when one considers the Administration’s treatment of the Benghazi terrorist attack....

...teachers at the DoE’s 11 Adult Schools may have been stealing everything: Tuition money, textbook fees, lab fees, and fixed assets.  They were also being paid for hours not worked....

Because project documents were not consistently retained or filed...the current state assessment team was unable to complete planned testing procedures....

...the court's environmental jurisprudence wasn't so much focused on outcome, but rather on process....

"...a 2011 Nissan Leaf that's a bargain to drive in Washington — $28.29 for 1,000 miles — is pricey in Hawaii, where those 1,000 miles would cost $97.21."

President Barack Obama laid out an ambitious agenda last night. Here are some highlights of our experts’ analysis of his claims, his plans, and his promises....

... our free enterprise economy is the source of our middle class prosperity ....

...there are millions of Americans who ... have not yet been rewarded....

...state tax credit expenditures could reach $1.4 billion for residential units alone....

The Kahua Group is partnering with the Leadership Institute to provide grassroots training to activist all across the State Feb 16-21.

...20 separate violations of the State Ethics Code....

Tonight, the American people will be watching President Obama’s fifth State of the Union address. How has he done on his promises over the past four years?

Visit this link if you would like to send a message to your own Representative asking them not the pass same-sex marriage in Hawaii....

Alaska and Hawaii ranked second and third, respectively, with about 28% of each state's workers employed by government....

Federal officials will be visiting Hawaii in April to review first hand the work that is being done in all of its RTTT Assurance Areas....

...the Regents Candidate Advisory Council (RCAC) delivered to Governor Neil Abercrombie's office a list of candidates for the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents....

This morning our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, announced his intention to resign the papacy ....

“...is likely to have a chilling effect on legitimate reporters. And it would be very unlikely to pass a court test of the First Amendment. Please trash this trashy bill.”

Magnitude 4.9 at 12:57PM HST 2-11-13....

• Senate: Gender-based Violence Prevention - Substitute Amendment
• House: Budget Submission Requirement - Final Passage

...advocates could potentially use these new data from the Department of Education to support a civil rights complaint....

How did your school do? Find out by clicking here....

...Recktenwald delivered his biennial State of the Judiciary address on the Judiciary’s new YouTube channel....

The bill, named after – indeed, written by – the Aerosmith frontman, could punish anyone who takes a photograph of a celebrity in public. That includes a tourist who takes out her iPhone to snap a pic of an aging rocker, or perhaps the Obama family....

...the United States has more than a century’s worth of natural gas beneath its soil....

...states that have enacted malpractice reforms experienced a mere 2 percent to 5 percent reduction in health care spending compared to states that have not....

Candidate filing is open through Friday, February 15, 2013 for Honolulu Neighborhood Board elections. Candidates may register online at the NB election webpage....

How can American foreign policy meet the challenge of radical Islam?  -- By adopting the principles America used to win the cold war, said Senator Rand Paul....

...everything is on the table from an increase in the general excise tax rate to fund education to new fees on cell phone use to the administration’s proposals to tax sugary drinks and single-use bags....

...Somebody is playing a joke on Sen Thielen, making her oppose her previous proposal....

Positions remaining to be filled are:

• Director of Budget and Fiscal Services
• Director of Information Technology
• Medical Examiner

"The most recent annual evaluation for certain employees date back to 1998...."

"Seeing it first hand myself was stunning. That even at the highest levels of enforcement, the Attorney General himself...."

...Five of his brothers and sisters opposed his appointment and not only communicated with the Mayor and county council to voice their thoughts, but filed a complaint with the attorney disciplinary board....

For the freedom to marry (undermine the nuclear family) to advance this year, a hearing on the marriage bill must be on the legislative calendar by Tuesday....

Just bluff an increase in TAT and they all line up in favor of extending the ‘temporary’ 9.25% rate....

"Given the magnitude of the contract, we want to make sure the vendor has the capacity to perform." -- HART Finance Committee Chairman Don Hor­ner

The tax credit for photovoltaic systems will be incrementally phased down from 30 percent of the actual cost to 15 percent over the next 5 years....

...view state activity, EPA activity, or combined activity....

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of Max Otani as deputy director of corrections with the state Department of Public Safety, effective immediately....

To get ready for the proposed legislation that is coming our way, here are some helpful tips to get involved in the Hawaii legislative process....

In light of these trends, some states like Texas, Florida and Wisconsin are considering the $10,000 college degree....

The next time a cashier asks "paper or plastic?" think of Abbie Schoenwetter. He spent more than six years in federal confinement for shipping lobster in plastic instead of cardboard....

Any successful program "must be mandatory (no one can opt out), public (government-supported and managed) and limited (will not provide full coverage)," the ILWU said....

The oral argument calendar of the Hawaii Supreme Court  looks pretty interesting....