TAX MAN: The constitutional amendment returns again
Back in 2018, we as voters were inundated with impassioned arguments on both sides of a proposed constitutional amendment (“ConAm” for short). The amendment would have given the State the power to impose a surcharge on real property tax, ostensibly to fund teacher pay raises.
TAX MAN: The state of Hawai‘i is hoarding school impact fees
Here in Hawai‘i, our Department of Education is unique in several respects.
TAX MAN: Oh BOI, more red tape come tax time for all
A new reporting requirement has kicked in this year, and lots of people will be affected.
TAX MAN: More tax hikes coming, tourists takes the brunt
It isn’t very far into the new year, but already the tax hike proposals have begun.
TAX MAN: After COVID-19 restaurants getting cooked in the U.S.
A number of restaurants are in a pinch recently. Here’s what happened to them.
TAX MAN: Merry wet Christmas for Honolulu Board of Water Supply
In late November, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) approved a Christmas present for itself – a five-year schedule of rate increases that result in the cost of water in Honolulu going up by about 50 percent. Two of the increases take place in 2024, one in February and one in July, so Honolulu consumers will be subjected to a double whammy next year.
TAX MAN: Not spending for school facility improvements
In this space, we have been writing a lot about grief caused by spending taxpayer money unwisely.
TAX MAN: Population: Hawai‘i losing people by the thousands
This week, we get to look at Census numbers, distilled and brought to us by Pacific Business News, that tell us whether we gained or lost people during 2021-2022.
TAX MAN: Wholesaling: What you don’t know about the rate
Every so often, we at the Foundation are asked about Hawaii tax laws. A couple of recent inquiries focused on when the “Wholesale Rate” in the Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) kicks in.
TAX MAN: Owning property in a Hawai‘i burn zone
These days, there is much talk in the news about rebuilding the burn zone that was once Lahaina. Can the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i be restored to its former 1800’s glory?
TAX MAN: Governor Green ‘crossing the Rubicon’ again
When we were in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Ige was peppering us with emergency proclamations early and often, we at the Tax Foundation accepted that the Governor had emergency authority but questioned some of the things it was being used on. For example, we were one of several nonprofits to challenge his wholesale suspension of the open meeting laws and public records laws in his earlier proclamations.
TAX MAN: Upsetting the apple cart in 24-year-old litigation
One of the longest running court cases in modern history is Kalima v. State. The case, filed in 1999, concerned 2,515 beneficiaries of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) who sued the state over its handling of the Hawaiian homes program.
TAX MAN: State of Hawai‘i receives an ‘F’ financial grade
We just got through with a legislative session where, due to anticipated federal aid to our state, we seemed to be swimming in money and were finding money for all kinds of things.
TAX MAN: Tourists, Keep Out!
In Vermont, there is a small town known as Pomfret. It has one of the most picturesque areas of the country for fall foliage, called Sleepy Hollow Farm.
TAX MAN: Who really pays for disaster assistance?
Have you ever thought about who, really, pays the cost of something like a Lahaina wildfire or a Hurricane Iniki?
TAX MAN: Let the donor beware
You may have heard the phrase “caveat emptor,” meaning “Let the buyer beware.” I
TAX MAN: Aiming a sledgehammer at monster homes
In Honolulu, some people have dealt with the housing crisis by building “monster homes.” As one prominent real estate company has described them, they are large houses built in land zoned for single-family homes.
TAX MAN: Challenging the housing czar in Aloha State
This week we look at Governor Green‘s Emergency Proclamation Relating to Housing, and his use of the emergency statutes to suspend many of the laws that account for delays upon delays in housing starts.
TAX MAN: Taxing government relief, emergency assistance
We’re still well into the aftermath of the Maui and Hawai‘i County wildfires. Our governments have opened up their coffers and have begun doling out lots of money toward disaster relief and emergency assistance.
TAX MAN: Beware of Lahaina scammers, taking advantage of aloha
Instead of “here today, gone to Maui,” it really was, “here today, [Lahaina is] gone tomorrow.” It is a tale of devastation and heartbreak that is still unfolding as residents and authorities gradually pick up the pieces.