We have been railing for some weeks now about the goings-on at our Legislature. This week we spotlight the Department of Taxation. On February 16th, the Department published a Tax Information Release, a public statement of interpretation of the law, … Read More
At the top of my list of pending legislation this week is the “maintenance of effort” bill, House Bill 611 and Senate Bill 815. What it says is if the appropriated budget of the Department of Education (DOE) drops from … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
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. In … Read More
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. Ms. Takayama … Read More
On January 5, State Director of Finance Craig Hirai was (kind of) answering questions before the House Finance Committee on the Administration’s budget. In response to questions on what the Administration had planned for revenue increases, he stated that the … Read More
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. Then Gov. Ige, who previously decided to furlough public employees, … Read More
Recently, a sharply divided Hawaiian Homes Commission sent to Governor Ige a legislative proposal to allow limited casino gaming on Hawaiian homelands. As Civil Beat reported, commission chair William Aila put the proposal forward as a revenue opportunity at a … Read More
The path leading to how to fix our battered economy has taken some crazy twists and turns. Governor Ige, first, announced that he will furlough all state workers for two days a month to chop down the expenses required in … Read More