A couple of weeks ago, we raised the question of whether lawmakers are looking at businesses and taxpayers as cows to be milked as opposed to constituents to serve. This week, we look at another set of folks who seem … Read More
The Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie came to me with an unusual question. “Can the State tax itself?” “I’m not sure,” I replied, “but why would anyone care?” “You remember there’s a bill that the Legislature passed, SB 3201, that … Read More
These days, there are tons and tons of new items keeping our minds occupied – from the Johnny Depp trial to the January 6 hearings to the demise of Roe v. Wade. As our primary and general elections edge ever … Read More
Maui, our Garden Island, has been on the move lately. It recently passed a budget, its largest ever, where it proposes to spend more than One Billion Dollars in this fiscal year. This, by the way, is a 26% increase … Read More
Sometimes we wonder just how lucky we are to live in Hawaii. We all know it’s a pricey place, but sometimes it takes raw statistics to drive that point home. This week, we are looking at statistics from doxo, a … Read More
Many of us have had the chance to work with nonprofit associations, either as a board member, volunteer, or paid staff. It isn’t clear to many people how our tax laws, specifically our GET, apply to these associations, so I … Read More
About ten years ago, the state of Kansas enacted one of the largest income tax cuts in that state’s history. It came after vigorous efforts by Kansas’ governor at the time, Sam Brownback. He compared his tax policies with those … Read More
This week, I’m going to do something a little different. I’m going to trot out an analysis that was done by one of my predecessors. Who and when will be revealed later. (My comments on how they relate to today’s … Read More
Many of us who drive cars now dread the day when we’ve got to go to the gas station. Between COVID-19, Russia vs. Ukraine, and other economic factors, gas prices have already passed the $5 per gallon mark and don’t … Read More
In last week’s column we started a list of bills that the Hawaii Legislature has passed up to the Governor for action. Here’s a list of some of the eyebrow-raising bills that have gone to the fifth floor. Senate Bill … Read More