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Budget & Spending

Memo to reluctant legislators: Hawaii can afford to cut taxes

Gov. Josh Green’s Green Affordability Plan is being hailed as one of the biggest tax reductions in the history of the state, if it goes through, and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii sponsored two well-attended luncheon panel discussions last week to consider its implications. The first of the two events

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The honeymoon is over; what about our tax cuts?

Wednesday was Gov. Josh Green’s 100th day in office, and I think it’s safe to say his honeymoon period with voters and the Legislature has come to an end. When he took office in January, the state was looking at a budget surplus of about $2.6 billion, and there was a lot of excitement

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SB1158 SD1: Bill would revive pension spiking

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Feb. 28, 2023. ___________ Feb. 28, 2023 10 a.m. Conference Room 211 & Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Ways and Means        Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair

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TESTIMONY: Hold off on Maui County pay raises?

The following testimony by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii was considered by the Maui County Salary Commission on Jan. 20, 2023. ______________ Jan. 20, 2023 9:00 a.m. Mayor’s Conference Room and Videoconference To: The Maui County Salary Commission       Chair, Scott Parker       Vice Chair, Grant

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Include medical services in GET exemption

The following was originally published Dec. 15, 2022, by Honolulu Civil Beat. _____________ It could lower healthcare costs in Hawaii while also addressing the state’s acute doctor shortage. Tax cuts are trendy all of a sudden. In a very welcome turn of events, Hawaii’s leaders have become increasingly vocal about

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Tax cuts would be the ideal holiday gift this year

The following was originally published Dec. 3, 2022, by Hawaii Filipino Chronicle. ____________ Christmas and New Year’s are right around the corner. But not everything is brimming with holiday cheer. Hawaii’s high cost of living, the nation’s record inflation and fears of a recession threaten to not only alter holiday

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Does anyone really believe stadium project will pan out?

Hawaii’s record with major public facility projects is so poor it’s a wonder lawmakers have allowed this idea to get as far as it has Hawaii’s policymaking elites and their construction industry buddies are getting all excited about moving forward on redevelopment of the old Aloha Stadium. Grandiose plans involving multiple possible

Read More →

Memo to reluctant legislators: Hawaii can afford to cut taxes

Gov. Josh Green’s Green Affordability Plan is being hailed as one of the biggest tax reductions in the history of the state, if it goes through, and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii sponsored two well-attended luncheon panel discussions last week to consider its implications. The first of the two events

Read More →

The honeymoon is over; what about our tax cuts?

Wednesday was Gov. Josh Green’s 100th day in office, and I think it’s safe to say his honeymoon period with voters and the Legislature has come to an end. When he took office in January, the state was looking at a budget surplus of about $2.6 billion, and there was a lot of excitement

Read More →

SB1158 SD1: Bill would revive pension spiking

The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Feb. 28, 2023. ___________ Feb. 28, 2023 10 a.m. Conference Room 211 & Videoconference To: Senate Committee on Ways and Means        Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair

Read More →

TESTIMONY: Hold off on Maui County pay raises?

The following testimony by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii was considered by the Maui County Salary Commission on Jan. 20, 2023. ______________ Jan. 20, 2023 9:00 a.m. Mayor’s Conference Room and Videoconference To: The Maui County Salary Commission       Chair, Scott Parker       Vice Chair, Grant

Read More →

Include medical services in GET exemption

The following was originally published Dec. 15, 2022, by Honolulu Civil Beat. _____________ It could lower healthcare costs in Hawaii while also addressing the state’s acute doctor shortage. Tax cuts are trendy all of a sudden. In a very welcome turn of events, Hawaii’s leaders have become increasingly vocal about

Read More →

Tax cuts would be the ideal holiday gift this year

The following was originally published Dec. 3, 2022, by Hawaii Filipino Chronicle. ____________ Christmas and New Year’s are right around the corner. But not everything is brimming with holiday cheer. Hawaii’s high cost of living, the nation’s record inflation and fears of a recession threaten to not only alter holiday

Read More →

Does anyone really believe stadium project will pan out?

Hawaii’s record with major public facility projects is so poor it’s a wonder lawmakers have allowed this idea to get as far as it has Hawaii’s policymaking elites and their construction industry buddies are getting all excited about moving forward on redevelopment of the old Aloha Stadium. Grandiose plans involving multiple possible

Read More →