Working for a better economy, better governANCE and a better society
How Hawaii can usher in a new era of prosperity
Hawaii is finally starting to open again. Now what? That was the question posed to me yesterday morning by Michael W. Perry, host of the hugely popular “Perry & The Posse” radio show on KSSK AM and FM. Fortunately, I had exactly the right prescription. Or, more...
Institute testifies before Council on Revenues about state budget outlook
This testimony was submitted by Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, for consideration by the state Council on Revenues on May 28, 2020. _________________ Grassroot Institute of Hawaii — HB2200 Testimony May 28, 2020 2:00 p.m....
We can’t turn back the clock, and for some policies we don’t want to
It was just over a year ago that the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii produced a report stating: “Hawaii’s state budget does not have the extra cushion to deal with a large recession, if one should hit, so lawmakers should rein in spending and build up a financial...
‘Multiplier effect’ is poor justification for increased government spending
Hawaii lawmakers must not be afraid to cut the state budget __________ By Joe Kent, Ken Schoolland, Per Bylund and Victor V. Claar In the rush to mitigate the economically devastating impact of Hawaii’s state-mandated shutdown, many lawmakers and policy wonks have...
18 ways to get Hawaii back on its feet
This commentary was originally published in Honolulu Civil Beat, April 18, 2020. ____________ Hawaii is leading the nation in per-capita unemployment right now because of government actions intended to stop the coronavirus. According to the state Department of Labor,...