Hawaii State Government

The body now stands in recess and will reconvene to take action on additional measures up for third reading next week on Tuesday, March 4th at 9 a.m....

...although some funds have been repealed or are no longer active, their appropriation accounts have not been closed and balances remain....

“Government wants a coordinator for all of life’s risks,” Slom said. “Taxpayers should not fall for more bureaucracy.”....

...topics as varied as the illusory nature of the state budget surplus and the demands of rail....

Dr. Rosen’s appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation....

The Hawaii legislature publicly debated and then rejected a pair of Azerbaijan-initiated anti-Armenian measures....

How vibrant Hawaii’s fiscal health is depends on who you ask....

...examining allegations of administrative abuses and an ongoing failure to provide a safe work environment at the Hawaii State Hospital....

...Abercrombie today announced the appointment and promotion (resignation) of Sanjeev “Sonny” Bhagowalia as Chief Advisor for Technology and Cyber-Security (CIO), effective Feb. 18, 2014....

"I will be out of the office starting 02/07/2014 and will not return until 04/30/2014....."

Hawaii legislators set to hear a bill to combat fraudulent lien filings on February 11, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. in room 229 at the Hawaii Capitol....

Watch the Senate committee system falling apart....

Initiatives include studies for a space exploration R&D park, international flight training center and a laser optical communications ground station in Hawaii....

These bills have been set up on the front burner of this year’s legislative agenda after the pre-empted initiative to “Let the People Vote” during last year’s “not -so-special-session” on same-sex marriage....

Two important bills (SB2153 and SB2519) that promote greater fiscal transparency and protections for Hawaii's taxpayers passed the Ways And Means Committee today....

"Well, I’m always pleased to share credit when people realize they can’t avoid their responsibilities anymore...." - Abercrombie

Attorney General David M. Louie joined 46 fellow state and territorial attorneys general in signing a letter sent to the U.S. Trade Representative....

...$20 million for various capital improvement projects (CIP) administered by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources....

...informational meetings about the 2014 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ....

Hawaii is the only state without any form of referendum, recall and initiative on a statewide level....

Senator Slom and Representative Aaron Ling Johanson and his fellow House Republicans are introducing companion legislation that includes financial relief for every taxpayer in Hawaii....

The nominating committee for the state Commission on Water Resource Management (Water Commission) is still accepting applications for one (1) position on the commission....

The Governor's $850 million Surplus is imaginary, given his $9,000 million Retirement System Deficit....

$9,694,000 – Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA) Frontage Road and New Intersection Connections, Hawaii Island – Construction of a 0.8-mile frontage road....

House Bill No. 1200, House Draft 2, is not needed to comply with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other flaws in the bill do not warrant its enactment....

...the first in the nation to have a statewide, pedestrian-only focus....

"the governor is not getting high marks for performance from real people.”

...“best practices” for a healthier state economy. Listen to the entire interview....

Areas Where the Transformation Effort Fell Short in 2013....

We must address the unfunded liabilities of public employees before we can truly begin talking about a surplus in the budget....

I believe we may be able to reduce taxes in key areas....

Sound financial management required making tough decisions and hard choices. All with NO furloughs** (this is a lie, Abercrombie continued Furloughs, renamed as DLWOP Days)....

This is the first combined House-Senate Majority package since 2008....

Thirty-six states (including Hawaii) require that health care providers seeking to offer or expand their services obtain what are known as Certificates of Need (CON)....

Today, riskier investments appear to improve public pension funding. Current accounting rules mean that riskier investments are given higher expected rates of return....

...although some funds have been repealed or are no longer active, their appropriation accounts have not been closed and balances remain....

This morning, the House voted to approve HR2, which details changes to committee assignments as follows....

... more than $744 million directly for Hawaii projects ....

Many of us are glad that 2013 is behind us, because the year did not live up to expectations of change or measurable improvement and was difficult for our local families and small businesses....

My fellow members and guests, aloha and welcome to the 2014 Regular Session of the Hawaii State Legislature....

These include citizen participation in democracy and government, a high cost of living, educational opportunities, and the health of our people....

The Hawaii state legislature opens today at 10 a.m....

... state budget challenges have far outlasted the Great Recession ....

Abercrombie today commented on the state Council on Revenues’ revised forecast....

Annual Report of the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs....

...But fiscal sustainability is essential; to this we remain committed....