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Helton, Miro discuss ways counties can provide tax relief

County lawmakers haven’t decided yet how to deal with property tax hikes that are expected to result from higher property assessments across the state, but relief measures such as rate cuts, tax credits and homeowner exemption increases seem to be on the table. Jonathan Helton, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy

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Kudos to U.S. Sen. Schatz for zoning reform initiative

The following commentary was published originally in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on March 7, 2023. __________ A new federal “Yes In My Backyard” grant program, spearheaded by Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, deserves kudos for targeting barriers to new housing. The purpose of the program, enacted in December as a part

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Hill optimistic about public records bills, ‘but you never really know’

Imagine being asked to pony up nearly $350,000 to get access to public communications between the governor’s office and state agencies. That happened to the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii when it requested records related to the COVID-19 pandemic from then-Gov. David Ige’s office, according to Institute Policy Director Malia Hill,

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A ‘Capitol Convo’ about Hawaii’s high cost of living

Two representatives from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii appeared on an explicitly partisan radio interview program in late January to talk about Hawaii’s high cost of living. Host Lauren Matsumoto, a Republican and state House Minority Leader in the 2023 Legislature, said the thrice-weekly show, “Capitol Convo” on station AM

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Slashing tax rates best way to offset higher property assessments

It looks like property taxes in Hawaii are going to go up this year, and if that’s getting you rattled, you’re not alone. On Johnny Miro’s radio show this past Sunday on the H. Hawaii Media radio network, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Policy Director Malia Hill noted that property taxes

Read More →

A lively conversation about the Jones Act, pro and con

The Jones Act was the topic of a lively discussion earlier this month on KKCR radio’s “Kauai Soapbox,” moderated by radio host and Kauai County Council member Felicia Cowden. Cowden’s guests were Colin Grabow, Grassroot Scholar and Cato Institute trade policy analyst; Jonathan Helton, Grassroot Institute policy researcher; Mark Coleman,

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Why Hawaii’s licensing laws need reform

State lawmakers should consider reducing the burden that Hawaii places on workers via its occupational licensing laws, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Policy Director Malia Hill told radio host Johnny Miro during his Dec. 18, 2022, show. Hill said Hawaii is the fourth-worst state in the country when it comes to

Read More →

Yes, Virgina, zoning causes higher housing prices

Zoning reform alone isn’t the solution to Hawaii’s housing affordability crisis, but it would be a step in the right direction, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy researcher Jonathan Helton told H. Hawaii Media radio host Johnny Miro this past Sunday, Dec. 4. 2022. Helton discussed with Miro how more than

Read More →

Alaska podcaster hosts Helton for conversation on Jones Act and PVSA

The 1920 Jones Act and the 1886 Passenger Vessel Services Act are antiquated laws that “impact states like Alaska, Hawaii and the territories like Puerto Rico and Guam especially harder than it impacts the rest of the nation,” according to Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy researcher Jonathan Helton. Helton, who has

Read More →

Akina answers why petition seeks tax break for medical services

The campaign to exempt medical services from the state general excise tax took to the airwaves this past Sunday with an appearance by Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, on the H. Hawaii Media radio network. Host Johnny Miro asked Akina to explain why the

Read More →

Helton, Miro discuss ways counties can provide tax relief

County lawmakers haven’t decided yet how to deal with property tax hikes that are expected to result from higher property assessments across the state, but relief measures such as rate cuts, tax credits and homeowner exemption increases seem to be on the table. Jonathan Helton, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy

Read More →

Kudos to U.S. Sen. Schatz for zoning reform initiative

The following commentary was published originally in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on March 7, 2023. __________ A new federal “Yes In My Backyard” grant program, spearheaded by Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, deserves kudos for targeting barriers to new housing. The purpose of the program, enacted in December as a part

Read More →

Hill optimistic about public records bills, ‘but you never really know’

Imagine being asked to pony up nearly $350,000 to get access to public communications between the governor’s office and state agencies. That happened to the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii when it requested records related to the COVID-19 pandemic from then-Gov. David Ige’s office, according to Institute Policy Director Malia Hill,

Read More →

A ‘Capitol Convo’ about Hawaii’s high cost of living

Two representatives from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii appeared on an explicitly partisan radio interview program in late January to talk about Hawaii’s high cost of living. Host Lauren Matsumoto, a Republican and state House Minority Leader in the 2023 Legislature, said the thrice-weekly show, “Capitol Convo” on station AM

Read More →

Slashing tax rates best way to offset higher property assessments

It looks like property taxes in Hawaii are going to go up this year, and if that’s getting you rattled, you’re not alone. On Johnny Miro’s radio show this past Sunday on the H. Hawaii Media radio network, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Policy Director Malia Hill noted that property taxes

Read More →

A lively conversation about the Jones Act, pro and con

The Jones Act was the topic of a lively discussion earlier this month on KKCR radio’s “Kauai Soapbox,” moderated by radio host and Kauai County Council member Felicia Cowden. Cowden’s guests were Colin Grabow, Grassroot Scholar and Cato Institute trade policy analyst; Jonathan Helton, Grassroot Institute policy researcher; Mark Coleman,

Read More →

Why Hawaii’s licensing laws need reform

State lawmakers should consider reducing the burden that Hawaii places on workers via its occupational licensing laws, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Policy Director Malia Hill told radio host Johnny Miro during his Dec. 18, 2022, show. Hill said Hawaii is the fourth-worst state in the country when it comes to

Read More →

Yes, Virgina, zoning causes higher housing prices

Zoning reform alone isn’t the solution to Hawaii’s housing affordability crisis, but it would be a step in the right direction, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy researcher Jonathan Helton told H. Hawaii Media radio host Johnny Miro this past Sunday, Dec. 4. 2022. Helton discussed with Miro how more than

Read More →

Alaska podcaster hosts Helton for conversation on Jones Act and PVSA

The 1920 Jones Act and the 1886 Passenger Vessel Services Act are antiquated laws that “impact states like Alaska, Hawaii and the territories like Puerto Rico and Guam especially harder than it impacts the rest of the nation,” according to Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy researcher Jonathan Helton. Helton, who has

Read More →

Akina answers why petition seeks tax break for medical services

The campaign to exempt medical services from the state general excise tax took to the airwaves this past Sunday with an appearance by Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, on the H. Hawaii Media radio network. Host Johnny Miro asked Akina to explain why the

Read More →