Oral Testimony from Dr. Akina (see written comments below): 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 2311 — RELATING TO REPORTING DEATHS TO STATE AGENCIES Comments Only Dear Chair
Yesterday, Grassroot released its finding that more than a half a million dollars had been paid out of the public pension fund to deceased beneficiaries. Reporter Rick Daysog of Hawaii News Now picked up the story and covered it in the evening news. You can see more below or go
HONOLULU, HAWAII–Oct. 28, 2015–In a shocking example of outmoded systems leading to government waste, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has learned that $538,519.25 of public pension money was paid to dead people in Hawaii between 2010 and 2015. According to the state’s own records, at least 134 deceased persons received
We’ve earlier written about State pensions and other post-employment benefits. We’ve mentioned that the liabilities are potentially huge, but we haven’t yet spoken much about constitutional protection. The Hawaii Constitution says, “Membership in any employees’ retirement system of the State or any political subdivision thereof shall be a contractual relationship,
Recently, I was on a television program with two very prominent local politicians, and the subject of unfunded liabilities came up. We know that actuaries have looked at the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, or EUTF, and have found that the plan is “unfunded” by a staggering amount, as in
In the past, Grassroot has reported on how the state’s unfunded liabilities have affected our economic outlook–and created a burden that every state taxpayer will eventually have to bear. A recent article from Danny Mahoney of Truth in Accounting, lays out exactly why Hawaii makes it into the top 5
April 7, 2015 To: House Committee on Finance Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair Rep. Scott Nishimoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D. RE: SB 1208 — RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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
Regardless of party, most Hawaii policymakers will acknowledge that the state’s unfunded liabilities must be addressed. And there have been some efforts to do so. The state has been increasing its contributions, attempting to reach the point where the pension fund is considered healthy (at least 80% funded). Unfortunately, it’s a
Research puts state in bottom ten for funding ratio/per capita liability A recent report from State Budget Solutions, evaluating the unfunded liabilities of every US state found Hawaii in the bottom ten for both funding ratio and per capita liability, suggesting that the state may one day be forced to
Oral Testimony from Dr. Akina (see written comments below): 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 2311 — RELATING TO REPORTING DEATHS TO STATE AGENCIES Comments Only Dear Chair
Yesterday, Grassroot released its finding that more than a half a million dollars had been paid out of the public pension fund to deceased beneficiaries. Reporter Rick Daysog of Hawaii News Now picked up the story and covered it in the evening news. You can see more below or go
HONOLULU, HAWAII–Oct. 28, 2015–In a shocking example of outmoded systems leading to government waste, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has learned that $538,519.25 of public pension money was paid to dead people in Hawaii between 2010 and 2015. According to the state’s own records, at least 134 deceased persons received
We’ve earlier written about State pensions and other post-employment benefits. We’ve mentioned that the liabilities are potentially huge, but we haven’t yet spoken much about constitutional protection. The Hawaii Constitution says, “Membership in any employees’ retirement system of the State or any political subdivision thereof shall be a contractual relationship,
Recently, I was on a television program with two very prominent local politicians, and the subject of unfunded liabilities came up. We know that actuaries have looked at the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, or EUTF, and have found that the plan is “unfunded” by a staggering amount, as in
In the past, Grassroot has reported on how the state’s unfunded liabilities have affected our economic outlook–and created a burden that every state taxpayer will eventually have to bear. A recent article from Danny Mahoney of Truth in Accounting, lays out exactly why Hawaii makes it into the top 5
April 7, 2015 To: House Committee on Finance Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair Rep. Scott Nishimoto, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D. RE: SB 1208 — RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM Dear Chair and Committee Members: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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
Regardless of party, most Hawaii policymakers will acknowledge that the state’s unfunded liabilities must be addressed. And there have been some efforts to do so. The state has been increasing its contributions, attempting to reach the point where the pension fund is considered healthy (at least 80% funded). Unfortunately, it’s a
Research puts state in bottom ten for funding ratio/per capita liability A recent report from State Budget Solutions, evaluating the unfunded liabilities of every US state found Hawaii in the bottom ten for both funding ratio and per capita liability, suggesting that the state may one day be forced to
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