August 2010
State Special Funds May Hold $1.4 Billion In Unspent Revenues
Hawaii’s taxpayers might be shocked to discover that while numerous voices in and out of the local political establishment are calling for an increase in the General Excise Tax to cover any future budget shortfalls in education or other state services, upwards of $1.4 billion dollars in unspent excess funds may be sitting in special funds, several of which were tagged by the auditor almost a decade ago for repeal. According to the Department of Budget and Finance’s “Reports on Non-General Fund Information: Fiscal Years 2006-2012,” some 186 special funds spread across twenty different departments hold an estimated $1,412,357,203 in unspent revenues over and above their operational requirements. In plain language, if the estimates provided by the Department are correct, the state has more than just pocket change stuck in its seats. (more)
August 2010
China's Free-Market Summer Camp
Li Zhao Schoolland organized the first China Austrian Economics Camp (CAEC) this summer with Northeastern University (NEU) of Shenyang, China. Those teaching about the economics and ethics of free markets included Tom Palmer of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation and the CATO Institute, Fred Foldvary of Santa Clara University, Cris Lingle of Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala, Kenli Schoolland of the University of Buckingham in England, Zhu Haijiu of Zhejiang GongShang University in China, Dean Peng of Beijing, Jeff Crawford and Ken Schoolland of Hawaii Pacific University, and Li Schoolland. Four of these teachers are members of the Mont Pelerin Society, founded in 1947 by Friedrich Hayek to promote an intellectual resurgence of free market ideas.
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July 08, 2010
State Certification Process Perpetuates Unemployment
With approximately 6.6 percent of Hawaii’s labor force unemployed, the legislature needs to revise the state’s complex certification system to make it easier for people to change professions and get back to work. (more)
June 2010
Follow the Money: Eye-Opening Arithmetic
“Aid...” “Help...” “Equality...” These are the kinds of words that make you feel benevolent. After all, it's good to help those in need who may be contending with financial difficulties, cultural erosion, or lack of opportunities. Unfortunately, the kind of help we’re giving often reflects far more on us and the professional granting and charitable industries than anything else. Which leads to the question of whether all those nice, benevolent emotions we’re enjoying help anyone but ourselves. It was to further examine these kinds of questions that the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii launched 4HawaiiansOnly—a Web site and project that examines grants made for the benefit of Native Hawaiians. (more)
June 2010
National Battle Rages Over Jones Act Exemption in BP Oil Spill - and Hawaii's Congressional Delegation is in the Fray
Part three in a series
A national battle is raging over whether foreign crews on foreign vessels with the latest technology will be permitted to help in the BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. (more)
June 07, 2010
Video of the Sam Staley Luncheon
Did you miss the Luncheon with Dr. Sam Staley a while back? Fear not because we have the complete speech by Dr. Sam Staley right here! Make sure you watch all 4 parts! All of the videos are right after the jump so make sure you click on! (more)
June 07, 2010
What is the Overton Window?
June 2010
Land Use Key to Understanding Real Solutions to Honolulu Traffic Congestion
O’ahu residents can be excused for being confused about the current state of Honolulu’s transportation policy. This mid-size city faces big city traffic problems, and practical strategies to mitigate its economic and social impacts are hard to see in the current transportation policy debate. This is unfortunate because near-term solutions to congestion exist, although it will take leadership and fundamental rethinking of how the city is changing to give them the priority they deserve. (more)
May 2010
The Big Gamble
The currently pending version of the Akaka Bill promises that the new Hawaiian Government will not have the power to introduce casino gaming to the islands. Granted, that’s a rare moment of specificity in a piece of legislation that is curiously vague on the other powers that the Hawaiian government would have. Will Native Hawaiians be tried for criminal acts under a separate court system? Don’t know. Will they be subject to the same federal and state taxes? Who can say? But at least there will be no casino gambling. (more)
Blogs
Rooted in Reason
Grassroot Institute's Official Blog
The Mystery of Hawaiian History
Correcting historical revisionism and misconceptions promoted by the Akaka Bill.
Hawaii Spendometer
How Fast Does The State Government Spend Your Money?
$9,122,166,121.47
