...Under HB1191 HD1, the minimum wage for employees not receiving employer-sponsored health insurance will gradually increase until it reaches $15.00 in 2024, and $12.50 in 2024 for employees who are receiving employer-sponsored health insurance  (Editor's Note: This formula avoids re-writing State and County union contracts)....

...Notably, the draft policy excludes the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which rendered the Souki decision last year....

...data set ranges from share of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year to dental treatment costs to share of adults with low life satisfaction due to oral condition....

...The two largest health insurance providers in the State reported a total of 28 members that were recommended for medical transportation to the continental United States for treatment in 2016 and 2017. Insurance coverage was not provided in 11 cases, all of which involved members from a single insurance provider....

...on January 9, after hearing OHA's biennium budget request, members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee raised questions about the progress of the independent audit of OHA and its LLCs. A similar question was raised the next day at the House Finance Committee....

...Millions in out of state funds will attempt to influence Indiana abortion policies....

...The proposed Equality Act would add “gender identity” to the Civil Rights Act of 1964....

...Birds of a feather flock together....

...House Bill 1315 proposes an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution that would enshrine a “right” to housing....

"...The clients were also told to enter the country by flying into Hawaii instead of Los Angeles where clearing U.S. Customs was perceived to be more difficult...."

...Weekly update from GovTrack.us....

...Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent $17.82 billion in 2018, an increase of 6.8 percent compared to 2017....

"...we were unable to find a clear regulatory path forward for this innovative and sustainable model of dairy farming...."

...The Hawaiian Humane Society’s new community cat program coordinator will work with colony caregivers and volunteers to trap, neuter and then return sterilized cats to the colonies they came from....

...The recommendations not implemented are the ones where DHS actually has to go out and catch fraudsters, instead of just talking about it....

...Hawaii's GE Tax base is more than triple the average sales tax base for US states....

...Pre-K: Who Will Control Cash Flow, Positions?....

...The Judicial Council is seeking applicants to fill one upcoming vacancy on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. The term will run from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023....

...After receiving the campaign contributions, Caldwell appointed the criminal Lyon to the juicy position July 30, 2014 for a term ending June 30, 2019....

...It is up to us to voice concerns and to make our voice heard.... 

...independent grand jury counsel for Hilo and Kona....

...Rep. Cynthia Thielen's bills this Legislative session....

...Campaign manager Rania Batrice and Gabbard’s consulting firm Revolution Messaging are set to depart after this weekend’s official kickoff in Hawaii.... Gabbard is leaning on her sister, Vrindavan, to fill the void....

...April 13 End of All-Mail Voting for Special Election....

...American Lung Association ‘State of Tobacco Control’ Report Finds Hawaii Must Do More to Prevent, Reduce Tobacco Use....

..."As we speak, a special meeting is taking place at the White House asking for Hawaii to be exempted from this ban," said Rep. Gene Ward....

...three revolving funds, and one trust fund with remaining balances which total approximately $120 million as of June 30, 2018, had no financial activity during our (5 year) review period....

...Hawaii Ranks 15th....

...Bills include tobacco restrictions, bullying prevention, safe places for youth....

...In addition to the 66 unprovoked attacks worldwide, there were also 34 provoked attacks. Those include instances where divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, as well as attacks on spearfishers or people trying to feed sharks....

...Local rules that conflict with national ones threaten the growth of the entire U.S. drone industry....

...Mr. Ozawa was able to but did not object to any justice’s participation in this case before the final decision. Mr. Ozawa also did not raise any objection to Justice Pollack’s and Justice Wilson’s participation in the 2014 election challenge....

...secrets of the system in our state through which public funds are funneled into private pockets while workers with disabilities toil away in sweatshops....

...The Judicial Selection Commission is accepting applications and nominations ....

...How to resolve Hawaii’s public pension debt crisis....

...Recently, we have heard the term “congestion pricing” bandied about as a way of improving traffic congestion here, and of raising more money....

...Ozawa-Waters Case Could Affect Vote by Mail Statewide....

...Dr. Jeffrey Singer exposes the facts and myths about the opioid overdose problem in the United States....

...In addition to spawning anti-dairy activism, Omidyar’s Kauai dairy proposal created a political and perhaps legal precedent requiring previously exempt farmers to obtain an environmental impact statement before commencing operations....

..."It legitimizes a practice born in smoke-filled rooms, out of the public's eye and is an insult to the openness we brag about in the Hawaii State Legislature."....

...the most egregious of these being a ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms, discriminating against young adults under the age of 21 and prohibiting them from bringing firearms into the state, and lastly, further victimizing gun owners who have experienced a loss or theft....

...Noah Fiddler's sentencing is scheduled for May 2, 2019....

...ride share pick up locations at Kahului Airport (OGG), Lihue Airport (LIH), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Kapalua Airport (JHM) have been established by HDOT....

...The Hawaii congresswoman reiterates her opposition to “interventionist, regime-change wars....”

...Under our constitution, the Judiciary is sometimes called upon to protect the rights of those whose views may be unpopular....

...the average per-Taxpayer Burden for these 15 states runs almost $24,000—more than four times the average for the other 35 states....

"...OHA continues to work with various law enforcement entities...."

...Hawaii: State and Local Taxes rake in $6,467 per capita....

...The Hawaii DOA lists the following erroneous justification for HB939: "Given the nature of hemp as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance . . .."   However, as of Dec. 20, 2018, hemp was removed from that list....

...The ultimate goal of performance-based budgeting is to have every state agency justify discretionary funds they receive for each two-year budget cycle. Eventually, zero-based budgeting will analyze the entire budget of programs....