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Issues

Grassroot Testimony on the Proposed Long Term Care Surcharge

February 12, 2015   To: Senate Committee on Human Services and Housing Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair Sen. Josh Green, Vice Chair   Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Sen. Rosalyn Baker, Chair Sen. Brian Taniguchi, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.  

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The “Rail” World, San Francisco

In a recent episode of E Hana Kakou, Grassroot President Keli’i Akina interviewed LaVonda Atkinson, the now-famous whistle-blower on the San Francisco Rail project. Atkinson’s experience offers some important lessons for Hawaii. Not only in terms of how our Rail project has the potential to overrun costs and timelines in

Read More →

Grassroot Testimony on Extracurricular Activities for Homeschoolers

February 11, 2015   To: Senate Committee on Education Sen. Michelle Kidani, Chair Sen. Breene Harimoto, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: SB 361 — RELATING TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like

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Grassroot Testimony on Proposed Changes To Overtime Rules

February 10, 2015   To: House Committee on Labor & Public Employment Rep. Mark Nakashima, Chair Rep. Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: HB 558 — RELATING TO OVERTIME   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

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How Progressive Is Our System?

On January 15, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) released a report ranking the states in terms of how progressive their tax systems are. A “progressive” tax system is one that asks the wealthier taxpayers to pay more of their income than the poorer taxpayers. Most states rely

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Grassroot Testimony on Partial GET Repeal

February 4, 2015   To: Senate Committee on Economic Development & Technology Sen. Glenn Wakai, Chair Sen. Sam Slom, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: SB 946 — RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute

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Grassroot Testimony on Repeal of Corporate Income Tax

February 4, 2015 To: Senate Committee on Economic Development & Technology Sen. Glenn Wakai, Chair Sen. Sam Slom, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: SB 958 – REPEAL OF CORPORATE INCOME TAX   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of

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The Ten Percent Solution

Lately, the City & County rail surcharge has had lots of press coverage because the rail project is now likely to cost lots more than anticipated. To fund the overages, the City & County is prepared to ask the Legislature for an extension of the surcharge. Before we do that,

Read More →

McCain Challenges Jones Act Build and Ownership Requirements

U.S. Senator John S McCain (R-AZ) filed with the Secretary of the Senate on January 13, 2015, an amendment (SA 4) to the Senate version of The Keystone XL Pipeline Act. Sen McCain’s amendment would eliminate the U.S. build requirement of the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws

Read More →

Grassroot Testimony on the Proposed Long Term Care Surcharge

February 12, 2015   To: Senate Committee on Human Services and Housing Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair Sen. Josh Green, Vice Chair   Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Sen. Rosalyn Baker, Chair Sen. Brian Taniguchi, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.  

Read More →

The “Rail” World, San Francisco

In a recent episode of E Hana Kakou, Grassroot President Keli’i Akina interviewed LaVonda Atkinson, the now-famous whistle-blower on the San Francisco Rail project. Atkinson’s experience offers some important lessons for Hawaii. Not only in terms of how our Rail project has the potential to overrun costs and timelines in

Read More →

Grassroot Testimony on Extracurricular Activities for Homeschoolers

February 11, 2015   To: Senate Committee on Education Sen. Michelle Kidani, Chair Sen. Breene Harimoto, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: SB 361 — RELATING TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like

Read More →

Grassroot Testimony on Proposed Changes To Overtime Rules

February 10, 2015   To: House Committee on Labor & Public Employment Rep. Mark Nakashima, Chair Rep. Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: HB 558 — RELATING TO OVERTIME   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Read More →

How Progressive Is Our System?

On January 15, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) released a report ranking the states in terms of how progressive their tax systems are. A “progressive” tax system is one that asks the wealthier taxpayers to pay more of their income than the poorer taxpayers. Most states rely

Read More →

Grassroot Testimony on Partial GET Repeal

February 4, 2015   To: Senate Committee on Economic Development & Technology Sen. Glenn Wakai, Chair Sen. Sam Slom, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: SB 946 — RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute

Read More →

Grassroot Testimony on Repeal of Corporate Income Tax

February 4, 2015 To: Senate Committee on Economic Development & Technology Sen. Glenn Wakai, Chair Sen. Sam Slom, Vice Chair   From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.   RE: SB 958 – REPEAL OF CORPORATE INCOME TAX   Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of

Read More →

The Ten Percent Solution

Lately, the City & County rail surcharge has had lots of press coverage because the rail project is now likely to cost lots more than anticipated. To fund the overages, the City & County is prepared to ask the Legislature for an extension of the surcharge. Before we do that,

Read More →

McCain Challenges Jones Act Build and Ownership Requirements

U.S. Senator John S McCain (R-AZ) filed with the Secretary of the Senate on January 13, 2015, an amendment (SA 4) to the Senate version of The Keystone XL Pipeline Act. Sen McCain’s amendment would eliminate the U.S. build requirement of the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws

Read More →