The Enola Gay (bill) has left the hangar
What we have been seeing at the Legislature in terms of bills proposing new taxes has been relatively tame.
‘Maintenance of effort’ bills benefit education
At the top of my list of pending legislation this week is the “maintenance of effort” bill, House Bill 611 and Senate Bill 815.
More creative thought needed at our Legislature
This week, we continue coverage of our legislature by highlighting some of the more unusual or remarkable tax bills being considered. We focus on bills that not only have been introduced, but that have gotten a hearing before a legislative committee and are actively moving toward enactment.
Don’t try to read state legislators’ minds
In the beginning of February each year, the Japanese celebrate the Setsubun festival. The festivities typically include roasted beans. Family members throw them out the door, or start pelting one of their own members who is dressed up like a demon, to represent driving out the bad luck and welcoming in the good luck.
Here is the grim reality of unemployment taxes
In this space, we have been doing a lot of guessing on possible legislative proposals. We will find out for sure what they are on or before January 25, the date of Governor Ige’s State of the State address.
More taxes on the rich – but guess what, you’re rich
On January 12, Governor Ige’s Chief of Staff and former Director of Taxation Linda Chu Takayama told the House Finance Committee a little more about the revenue enhancement measures (tax hikes) that the Administration is going to propose.
‘Barreling’ toward an inevitable tax hike
On January 5, State Director of Finance Craig Hirai was (kind of) answering questions before the House Finance Committee on the Administration’s budget.
Scrutiny needed for the big agencies
There has been a lot of flip-flopping and waffling going on in government. President Trump groused about, panned, and then finally signed a second stimulus package on Sunday, Dec. 27.
Prospect of gaming on Hawaiian Home Lands
Recently, a sharply divided Hawaiian Homes Commission sent to Governor Ige a legislative proposal to allow limited casino gaming on Hawaiian homelands.
Collective Bargaining Agreement: Supreme Law of the Land?
The path leading to how to fix our battered economy has taken some crazy twists and turns.
Don’t give me back rent, I want to continue hiding from tax
Developments during this COVID crisis have brought out tax scofflaws in some of the most unexpected ways.
Business entity registration scam
Recently, our Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) reminded people of a news release. The release was directed to anyone in Hawaii that owns or has control of an entity (such as a corporation, partnership, or LLC).
Here’s a tale of the state finances’ tape
When we analyze how well, or how poorly, our economy is faring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and then try to craft appropriate corrective action, we often hear the buzzword “data-driven.”
Eighth Amendment protects us from massive tax penalties
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” So reads the Eighth Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
Standardless Spending, Part 2?
A few weeks ago, we wrote about how the State’s procurement law was suspended by Governor’s Emergency Proclamation. We argued it meant standardless spending, and we were delighted to report last week that the issue was addressed in the most recent Emergency Proclamation.
We need to ask where is all the money
For most of us, if we are asked how much money we have (perhaps by a bank or credit union that is considering lending us money), answering the question isn’t terribly difficult.
Ham-fisted way of getting folks back to work
Here in the City and County of Honolulu, lots of people are out of work, especially in the hospitality industry.
Someone was listening to the howl in the woods
Here at the Tax Foundation, we watch our state government, and we howl a lot. Often, we don’t know if our message is being heard, or if it’s being taken seriously.
We are in trouble, and need to make up for budget shortfall
Let’s first start by stating the obvious. We’re in trouble. According to the latest forecasts put out by our Council on Revenues, we have a state budget hole of more than 2 billion dollars.
Pulling teeth at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Imagine that you wake up one day to an awful toothache, and you march into your dentist’s office.