Entries for April 2014

According to Bills 35, 36, and 37, violators of the City’s grading and stockpiling ordinances, which regulate illegal dumping, will see a 500% increase in maximum civil fines....

...Negotiators this year could be asked to aim for a three-year contract that does not address health care in the hope that Congress would take action before 2018 to remove the Cadillac tax....

586 sign-ups since March 31, 2014 ....

The answer comes quickly in the introduction of this well-researched article in The Atlantic Cities....

...It wasn't the first time Schatz was forced to put some daylight between himself and his former boss....

HB1866 HD2 SD2 is one of a number of bills that originated in the House, was amended by the Senate, and now goes to the Governor for his review....

The Aloha State is known for its high cost of living. High income tax rates are part of the reason....

...the cost to receive long term care services at home in Hawaii through a home health aide increased over the past five years....

It includes topics such as physical and emotional health, healthy behaviors, work environment, social and community factors, financial security, and access to necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare....

Hawaii citizens have earned enough for the year's tax bill - one day later than last year....

New report ranks Hawaii 36th in economic outlook and 17th in economic performance....

Your 2013 tax dollars—which are due today—went primarily to pay for government benefits....

The city auditor is seeking an auditor for the Office of the City Auditor.  Duties and qualifications are noted as follows....

• Senate: Unemployment Benefits Extension – Passage
• Senate: Equal Pay – Cloture
• House: Budget Resolution – Passage

Hawaii has much room to improve. It scores poorly on all three dimensions of freedom....

...the governor and the mayors of Kauai; Maui; Hawaii; and the city and county of Honolulu, encompassing Oahu, are authorized to use all services, materials and facilities owned by partnerships, corporations and small businesses, including media outlets....

A perfect opportunity to get involved in the political process....

This problem could be solved if Congress steps in....

Bullies get pushier; dealers posture; trouble-makers know just when and where to light the match....

"So if you hear of ‘secret’ trips or backroom dealing, rest assured that we aren’t straying from the process.  We’re doing our job to keep diplomacy alive and keeping all options open...."

OHA’s appraisal of the land deal, done by Medusky & Co., Inc. acknowledged that residential uses of that land are not permitted....

The Hawaii Election Commission has released its candidate report for the week ending April 11, 2014....

The party also announced that it is now accepting membership applications....

Environment America (who?) released a new report: “Shining Cities: At the Forefront of America’s Solar Energy Revolution”....

Participation in a robust summer learning program substantially reduces the achievement gap....

...each quota owner would have the right to a specific percentage of the total allowable catch (TAC) in the season....

Obamacare in Pictures: 15 charts that show the law’s effects on Americans....

This calculator should help you to decide how large of a system to install and maybe help you comparison shop across solar providers....

The two largest correctional facilities, in Honolulu and Waipahu, both hold more seriously mentally ill individuals than are held at Hawaii State Hospital....

...the primary vendor in several cities, Bixi, is having financial difficulties....

Bills 35, 36, and 37 were drafted in response to the rampant and illegal stockpiling and grading occurring throughout Leeward communities....

Fannie and Freddie have received billions in subsidies, but the homeownership rate is only 1 percentage point higher than it was in 1968....

...the bill now moves into conference where selected Senate and House conferees will continue discussions....

A look back at Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie's first 4 years in office and why Hawaii can not afford another term with Abercrombie leading the state....

The government watchdog group called this a “huge improvement” for Hawaii, because in the past the state received an “F” grade....

The 2008 Legislature amended the Auditor’s governing statute to require follow-up reporting on recommendations made in various audit reports....

The majority of these bills, along with House bills passed by the Senate, will go into conference committees where House and Senate conferees will negotiate differences in the measures and determine which will be presented for final consideration....

The Pro Bowl following the 2014 season will be played on Sunday, January 25, 2015, and televised live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET from University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, the site of Super Bowl XLIX a week later....

The biggest risk to reform has always been that the scheme would founder on its complexity....

...criminal activities, including “violating taxpayers’ constitutional rights,” “misleading investigators,” and “exposing private taxpayer information”....

“The State will make sure that COFA residents continue to have uninterrupted access to their health benefits while this lawsuit is pending”

Hawaii was again last in voter turnout in 2012, with its rate decreasing 4.6 percentage points from a nation’s worst 2008 rate....

States with the largest percentage increase were North Dakota (27.8 percent), California (15.6 percent), Hawaii (10.5 percent)....

Here is a complete list of the bills under consideration for Third Reading before Crossover....

Djou, a judge advocate officer in the Army Reserve who also served on the Honolulu City Council and in the state House of Representatives, was elected in May 2010 ....