STAMP

The State Tax Analysis Modeling Program (STAMP) is a computer program that will provide the ability to perform tax policy “simulations” in order to analyze how hypothetical tax changes will affect the state economy. This program is in beta testing and is due to be put on a website shortly. Read more here . . .

HawaiiVotes.org

Fundraising is underway for a new website which will track all state legislative activity with a dossier on each legislator. For examples see MichiganVotes.org and WashingtonVotes.org. Want to see what HawaiiVotes.org would do for Hawaii? Here is an article spelling out the advantages of MichiganVotes.org for the citizens of that state. Local business leaders and legislators are showing interest in HawaiiVotes.org. This is an important project that Hawaii desperately needsin order to track voting trends in this state. To learn more, contact Dick Rowland by phone at (808) 591-9193 or email Dick.

High School Debate Training Program

Training started in November 2007 for national high school debate participants in Hawaii. Greg Rehmke of Economic Thinking, based in Seattle, created the materials and conducted the sessions. This program will be operated in partnership with the Foundation for Economic Education in New York, and is extremely critical for developing future leaders in the areas of politics, business, education and journalism. Links for the materials created by Greg Rehmke, as well as feedback from debate participants, can be found here.

Transportation

In business, the owner/operators must be focused on solving the needs/wants of customers. Major deviation from that goal will result in business failure, as well it should. Any of us can see that focus on action if we deal with private taxicab or bus drivers/companies. But somehow, when government provides transportation services, a major disconnect develops to the extent that customers' wants are dismissed in favor of political goals and/or the attainment of federal money. Such appears to be the case in Hawaii, particularly in Honolulu County. Currently, GRIH is working on the explicit outlines of two or more studies that will outline the problems, causes and some recommended solutions. Rail transit is the #1 transportation issue in the City & County of Honolulu. Road and traffic congestion are major issues in all the counties. The best information on these topics can be found at Honolulutraffic.com.

If you find any of the above projects important and useful, please consider contributing to their continuing development and implementation. We rely upon support from people like you in our continuing efforts for a better Hawaii.

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