Recent
State Special Funds May Hold $1.4 Billion In Unspent Revenues
August 2010
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)
China's Free-Market Summer Camp
August 2010
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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Jamie Story
On March 25, 2008, Jamie Story became the President of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Before moving to Hawaii, Jamie was an education policy analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a nonprofit, free-market research institute based in Austin. She previously served as an associate consultant in the Dallas office of Bain & Company, one of the top strategic management consulting firms in the world, helping many Fortune 500 companies to redefine strategy and realize greater efficiency. Jamie also completed a year of service as Miss Texas 2004, during which she spoke to public school students, educators, government leaders, and civic organizations. Jamie holds a B.A. in Mathematical Economic Analysis and Sport Management from Rice University, where she spent hundreds of hours studying Title I schools in Houston ISD. Jamie was born and raised in Bedford, Texas.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
