Working for a better economy, better government and a better society
State budget needs bigger cushion to weather crisis
A new Grassroot Institute of Hawaii report suggests ways to build a financial reserve HONOLULU, April 2, 2019 >> Hawaii’s state budget does not have big enough cushion to deal with a deep recession, if one should hit, so lawmakers should rein in spending and...
New report tells how to revive contracting as policy option
Hawaii lawmakers need greater flexibility in determining how to deliver public services. HONOLULU, Mar. 13, 2019 >> A small tweak to an old law might be all that is needed to help the state partner with the private sector, according to a new report by the...
New report urges ‘building out’ to ease housing crisis
Grassroot Scholar Randal O’Toole faults artificial land scarcity for high Hawaii home prices HONOLULU, Feb. 19, 2019 >> Hawaii has the least affordable housing of any state in the nation, and that is almost wholly because of government land-use regulations...
First part of HART audit is bad; will rest be worse?
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii denounces the “egregious” behavior so far uncovered HONOLULU, Jan. 10, 2019 >> The first installment of a four-part audit by the state auditor is more proof that the over-budget and behind-schedule Honolulu rail project has been...
Hawaii rank goes up, but not its economic freedom
The Economic Freedom of North America 2018 report outlines Hawaii’s statistical paradox HONOLULU, Nov. 13, 2018 >> Hawaii moved up a surprising eight notches this year in a national ranking measuring economic freedom in all 50 states, from 45 in 2017 to 37. That...