Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
Clean Energy Equals $418M Tax Hike?
Hawaii’s clean energy goals are the most aggressive in the nation, according to the home page of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI). Let’s find out just how aggressive some of these goals are. Who is HCEI? It might sound like an independent nonprofit but it’s...
And the Lowsman Trophy Goes to … Hawaii!!
You may have heard about Marcus Mariota, the “favorite son” from Hawaii who went on to win the Heisman Trophy and was then picked in the first round of the NFL draft. What you might not know is that there’s also a Lowsman Trophy, for the pro football player who is...
Friends Don’t Let Friends Pay Higher Taxes?
“Friends Don’t Let Friends Pay Higher Taxes.” Sounds like a great marketing slogan, right? So just who do you think is doing the marketing? A conservative think tank? The Tax Foundation of Hawaii? A taxpayer advocacy group? Actually, it comes from the State of...
Where’s the Tax Stamp on that Eggplant?
Being a lawmaker is never easy. Not only do you have to deal with throngs of agitated constituents on a daily basis, but often you are asked to give your stamp of approval to things you might not know about completely. This past session gives us one interesting...
Whither the Resort Fee?
This week we will be talking about “resort fees.” In recent years, a number of hotels, including many in Hawaii, have been adding them to hotel bills. The hotels say that it’s for access to the gym, pool, or Wi-Fi network, for example. But the fee is charged whether...