Research
December 2011
In Pursuit #2
Keep Their Feet to the FIRE: The Citizen’s Checklist for Legislative Behavior
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is proud to announce the release of the second research paper in our "In Pursuit" series of policy analysis. The topic of this month's review was the principle that should guide public policy and legislative action. Given that the Hawaii State Legislature will be back in session in January, this is a timely, needed focus on the foundations of public policy. (more)
Research
November 2011
In Pursuit #1
Hawaii and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is proud to announce the release of the first research paper in our "In Pursuit" series of policy analysis. The topic of this month's review was the intersection of Hawaii and APEC. Given that the APEC conference will momentarily be gracing our shores, this is a timely, needed focus on local economic policy. (more)
July 2011
College? Give Choice a Vote
A Working Paper from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
The time has come for parents to think about their children’s future plans and decide if the university system is a viable option. This fall, roughly 2.6 million students will enroll in some form of higher education.[1] It has long been a part of the American dream to walk into the Ivory Towers and continue onto post-secondary education. However, this American dream can turn into an American nightmare for parents that are unprepared. When the time approaches to decide about possibly sending your child to college, a sputtering economy along with skyrocketing tuition might have you asking if it is worth it. (more)
May 2011
$600 million in New Taxes
The desperate dance to balance the state budget was trickier than ever this legislative session. Far from providing innovative solutions, the Democratic led legislature had one answer to solve the $1.2 billion budget deficit: tax, tax, and tax some more, to the tune of $600 million. (more)
May 2011
Carbon and carbon dioxide: Clearing up the confusion
Let's restore common sense to our public policy debates on energy and climate
We are constantly bombarded with information - much of it inaccurate, misleading, even deliberately so. We are frequently told we must reduce carbon emissions, support "carbon disclosure" and invest in "carbon trusts" - to prevent catastrophic global warming, global climate change or global climate "disruption." News stories, advocacy and lobbying activities, and corporate "ethics" promotions frequently use "carbon" and "carbon dioxide" almost interchangeably; some occasionally talk about "dangerous carbon monoxide emissions." (more)
May 2011
Are you going to sit back and let this happen?
What do you know about the rail project? Did you know: · Trains will run every 3 minutes in each direction; a train every 1½ minutes at 83 decibels! · They say it will cost $5.5 billion. Experience says $7 billion. Property tax hike coming? · Riders are supposed to increase by 31,000 daily more than if we do nothing; that is $212,000 for every new rider! · To run the train increases its share of the city budget from 11 percent to 15 percent. Property tax hike? · The city says, “Traffic congestion will be worse in the future with rail than what it is today.” (more)
April 2011
Legislators should cut spending instead of increasing tobacco taxes
Hawaii is facing a $1.3 billion state budget deficit — and in response, a series of bills have been introduced to hike taxes, including Other Tobacco Product taxes. Among the proposed legislation is House Bill 273, which would hike taxes on such products as cigars and smokeless tobacco. The state should avoid all tax increases and instead turn to spending cuts to balance its budget. (more)
February 2011
Hawaii Needs Fiscal Notes
If your family is like mine, you're paying a little closer attention to price tags than you did a couple years ago. With high unemployment, stagnant wages, and the price of basic necessities continually rising, it only makes sense that we consider prices when shopping for everything from gasoline to groceries. (more)
February 2011
Fiscal Notes Fact Sheet
Fiscal notes provide value for legislators and the public by forecasting revenue changes in proposed legislation. However, many times bills are introduced and voted on before the data on fiscal repercussions are made available to those voting on the bills. State officials can easily feign surprise at the state of the budget when it is obvious that the long-term budget forecasts have either been unseen or utterly disregarded. For more info, please click on the PDF below! (more)
Research
January 2011
The Real State of the State
An Uncensored Look At The Fiscal Challenges Facing Hawaii
The incoming Twenty-Sixth Legislature of Hawaii and newly elected Governor Neil Abercrombie have inherited for 2011 significant challenges in the form of persistent unemployment/underemployment, unstable global markets, an ongoing international currency war, dramatically rising costs of commodities and chief of all, a precariously balanced budget. In this study of what we term “the real state of the State” we review Hawaii’s government expenditures, financial stewardship and provide nonpartisan policy recommendations for how our state can stabilize itself amidst growing risk. (more)
January 2011
Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Rant vs. Reason on Race
A Debate
Hawaii’s splendid isolation has contributed so much to the character of the islands. Our island paradise owes much to it, as does our culture of family and “aloha spirit.” On the other hand, those on the mainland have only the slightest acquaintance with the political and social issues we struggle with, and it’s easy for the most complicated and contentious issue to be reduced to static and soundbites by the time they reach Washington, DC. (more)
Blogs
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
