TAX MAN: Can raising a tax actually lead to losing money?
One fundamental assumption that has been made over the years by our lawmakers is that if you enact a tax, money will be raised.
THE TAX MAN: Have we unwittingly put the brakes on HART?
Lately, the news about HART, the body governing Honolulu’s largest ever public works project, has been focused on one of the nine voting members. That member‘s term is coming to an end, and the news is focusing on Mayor Rick Blangiardi‘s choice to replace him.
THE TAX MAN: Lawmakers need to be aware of the time tax
This week, we reflect on a piece in “The Atlantic” that argues quite persuasively that your government not only taxes people by taking their money, but also imposes administrative burdens that waste countless precious hours of people’s time.
Here’s a policy statement about fines
This week we are taking up as a new and noteworthy development Bill 17 being considered by the Honolulu City Council.
THE TAX MAN: Property forfeitures and what our AG is doing about them
First, a quick question: What’s worse than having your property condemned, or taken for a payment representing “just compensation”?
TAX MAN: Special land and development fund revisited
Some time ago, we devoted some of this space to discuss the State Auditor’s findings regarding the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Special Land and Development Fund (SLDF).
TAX MAN: Shoring up water transportation
On July 9, 2021, President Biden issued the “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.” There wasn’t much media coverage of it outside of the business press, because the order is lengthy and, rather than announcing new law, for the most part focuses on telling his agencies to enforce the laws that are already on the books relating to specific industries.
TAX MAN: Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?
Here in Hawaii, people like me often complain about lack of transparency, government overreach, and similar issues. But think about it. Does our government overreach? Yes. Why does it do that? Because we let them.
TAX MAN: Gov. Ige’s intent to veto
On June 21, Gov. David Ige released a lengthy list of bills he intended to veto. The Hawaii Constitution requires him to issue that list and provides that any bills not on the list will become law, with the Governor’s signature or otherwise.
TAX MAN: Secret tax relief on Maui
In a recent article, we spoke of a decision by the government of Maui to broaden the class of properties classified as short-term rental (which happens to be the class of properties with the second highest property tax rate, even edging out hotels and resorts, beaten only by timeshares). We noted that the decision happened at light speed, and we wondered why.
Get ready for the showdown of the juggernauts
There is a huge fight looming on the horizon. I’m not just talking about Curtis “The Bull” Iaukea and Lord “Tally Ho” Blears versus Handsome Johnny Barend and the unforgettable Ripper Collins in “50th State Big Time Wresting” at the Civic Auditorium.
TAX MAN: O‘ahu follows Kaua‘i in offering rent, utilities relief
We’ve recently found out that the City & County of Honolulu is going to take 10,000 applications from vulnerable people and families who need help paying rent or utility bills.
TAX MAN: Enjoying your Maui Resort Condo? Now pay up!
Some taxpayers on Maui are getting a nasty surprise this year because they didn’t do anything, and their real property tax rate doubled.
A government of (suspended) laws, not men
John Adams, later to become the second President of the United States, enshrined the concept of “a government of laws, not of men,” in the Massachusetts state constitution of 1780. Those words were supposed to convey a fundamental idea: Government should be based on clearly written laws, and not on the unpredictable will of one or even a few people.
Teacher payments and the ‘Me Too’ syndrome
This week, we focus on House Bill 613, another bill that has undergone radical metamorphosis while in our Legislature.
General Excise Exemptions to be shut off for two years?
House Bill 58, the “Frankenbill” that we wrote about before, has cleared the Legislature and is on the Governor’s desk waiting to become law. It suspends some General Excise Tax (GET) exemptions in calendar years 2022 to 2023. In this article we’ll explain some of them and who is likely to be affected.
State/federal changes in income tax coming
Income tax is a complicated enough subject already.
Counties, the TAT is now your problem too!
For many years, the counties and the state have been bickering about how much support from the state’s transient accommodations tax (TAT) they should get to help fund county infrastructure.
Report appears to be ‘whack job’ on state auditor
Last week we wrote about an unflattering report on the state auditor released by a working group convened by the state House speaker’s office.
YAMACHIKA: State Auditor facing a whack job
The House Speaker’s office recently released an unflattering report on the State Auditor. It faulted the Auditor’s Office for appointing executives without proper experience and said the move contributed to “delays and untimely reports,” and other actions that were “not in complete compliance” with the provisions of the Hawai’i Constitution governing that office.