Spend state money where it matters
This week we focus on our safety-net systems for people and families in need.
Wealth is a sin?
A recent op-ed column in Real Clear Politics by Scott Hodge, president of the national Tax Foundation (not related to the Tax Foundation of Hawaii although the names are similar) brought up some interesting ideas, spurred by the announced plans of Democratic presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders to enact a tax on wealth.
Invasive species inspection fee for air-flown commodities
Hawaii is an island state that is home to a unique set of flora and fauna.
The parable of the two horses
The Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie at long last has made his son put down his Smartphone.
Saving the Legislature from itself
This week we look at the State Auditor’s recent follow-up report, Report No. 19-14, on the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production income tax credit.
Business fees go down! –Huh?
In the news recently was a story about business and licensing fees actually going down.
The Strange Case of Bank of America
Once upon a time, there was a big bank called Bank of America. It wanted to try doing business in Hawaii, since it was already in many of the other western states, so it reached a deal to buy Honolulu Federal (do you remember HonFed?) and took over all of their branches in Hawaii. This was in 1992.
If housing costs in honolulu are bad now …
The cost of having four walls and a roof over your head in Honolulu has been staggeringly expensive relative to the rest of the nation for a while now. The median price of a single-family home on Oahu in July reached $835,000, while the median price of a condominium rose to $460,000, according to a report from Honolulu real estate firm Locations Hawaii.
They’re taking their business elsewhere
A few months ago, we tried to remind folks about “It’s the Economy, Stupid.”
Effects of the Jones Act
Here in Hawaii, we are intensely dependent on goods that come into the State from faraway places, whether it be the U.S. mainland, Asia, or anywhere else in the world.
Thirty years of state taxes, part 2
Q: We continue our series on the past 30 years of state tax with our researcher, the Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie’s wife.
Fight over Honolulu vacation rentals begins
The fight over short-term rentals in Honolulu has entered another phase.
Here’s to 30 years of state tax law, part 1
Q: The number 30 has been in the news a lot these days because of the telescope that’s supposed to be getting built on the Big Island. This week, we’re going to look at the past 30 years of state tax. To help me is our intrepid researcher, the Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie’s wife.
Protesters not allowed to block Mauna Kea road
On Wednesday, August 14, the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs held an “informational briefing” so senators could question the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over various topics, including on “Mauna Kea Access Road (ACT 14).”
Leadership on the Mauna
Leadership entails not only planning for possible obstructions to your chosen plan of action, but also having the resolve to follow through with your plan.
Soft on crime – because of the money
In the news recently was a stunning announcement by Justin Kollar, who is the Kauai County prosecutor. State law says that for folks driving without a license or driving without insurance, heavier fines and more jail time apply to repeat offenders.
Withholding could be the root of all evil
Withholding is making someone who isn’t liable for tax, but who pays money to someone who is, responsible for collecting and paying the tax to the government. Employers, for example, must withhold federal and state income taxes out of wages paid to their employees.
The Special Land and Development Fund
In this week’s spotlight is the Special Land and Development Fund or SLDF, which is administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Into that fund goes all land rents the State receives for land that is either leased or used under a revocable permit (such as those used by airport or harbor-based businesses).
The Special Land and Development Fund
In this week’s spotlight is the Special Land and Development Fund or SLDF, which is administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Into that fund goes all land rents the State receives for land that is either leased or used under a revocable permit (such as those used by airport or harbor-based businesses).
Resort fees designed to pay for amenities
It’s July 2019, and already we are starting to see laws passed in the 2019 Legislature take effect.