It was only two years ago that, to much fanfare and celebration, our lawmakers boldly passed history-making income tax cuts to provide struggling Hawaii families with much-needed relief from the state’s crippling cost of living. Those sweeping cuts were scheduled to phase in through 2031, which seems to have given
This year’s legislative session is winding down, and it has certainly had its highs and lows. One positive result I’d like to tell you about is a bill on the verge of final approval that would actually move regulations on local entrepreneurs in the right direction. SB2876 is a relatively noncontroversial
Most of the attention this year at the state Legislature has been focused on the status of our historic income tax cuts from 2024 — whether they are going to be modified or repealed, effectively resulting in a tax hike. But there’s another tax-hike bill still alive that has been
As the 2026 legislative session enters its final weeks, I am happy to report that several of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s priority measures are still in play and positioned to be finalized in various House-Senate conference committees. Some just need a little more work than others. One, HB1710, was introduced
A new report from economists at the University of Hawai‘i makes a point that many of us have known all along: If we want to end the housing crisis, we need to build more homes. That’s because each new unit creates a chain of housing openings. A family that moves
I have some good news to share with you: All of Hawaii’s county mayors have released their proposed budgets for the next fiscal year, and most appear to be fiscally responsible. Could the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s spending principles finally be taking root with elected officials? Let’s start with Honolulu,
The state’s behemoth budget bill is making its way through the Legislature, and I can’t help but notice that taxpayers seem to be the only ones expected to make a sacrifice for the sake of government spending. Gov. Josh Green kicked off this year’s session claiming the state’s budget crunch
Something has gone very wrong if it becomes necessary during a time of war to waive a law that was intended to strengthen national security. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act for the transport of certain energy products and fertilizer. As you might already
Two important housing reform measures were unexpectedly killed this week as the state House and Senate prepared for “crossover” at the Legislature, during which the chambers exchange all the bills they have so far approved. This is regrettable not just because of what it means for Hawaii’s ongoing housing crisis,
I wish more of our lawmakers would realize that no government program could do as much to help struggling families in the islands as significant tax cuts. But maybe public reaction to the governor’s effort to “pause” the phase-in of the state’s historic 2024 income tax cuts will help them
It was only two years ago that, to much fanfare and celebration, our lawmakers boldly passed history-making income tax cuts to provide struggling Hawaii families with much-needed relief from the state’s crippling cost of living. Those sweeping cuts were scheduled to phase in through 2031, which seems to have given
This year’s legislative session is winding down, and it has certainly had its highs and lows. One positive result I’d like to tell you about is a bill on the verge of final approval that would actually move regulations on local entrepreneurs in the right direction. SB2876 is a relatively noncontroversial
Most of the attention this year at the state Legislature has been focused on the status of our historic income tax cuts from 2024 — whether they are going to be modified or repealed, effectively resulting in a tax hike. But there’s another tax-hike bill still alive that has been
As the 2026 legislative session enters its final weeks, I am happy to report that several of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s priority measures are still in play and positioned to be finalized in various House-Senate conference committees. Some just need a little more work than others. One, HB1710, was introduced
A new report from economists at the University of Hawai‘i makes a point that many of us have known all along: If we want to end the housing crisis, we need to build more homes. That’s because each new unit creates a chain of housing openings. A family that moves
I have some good news to share with you: All of Hawaii’s county mayors have released their proposed budgets for the next fiscal year, and most appear to be fiscally responsible. Could the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s spending principles finally be taking root with elected officials? Let’s start with Honolulu,
The state’s behemoth budget bill is making its way through the Legislature, and I can’t help but notice that taxpayers seem to be the only ones expected to make a sacrifice for the sake of government spending. Gov. Josh Green kicked off this year’s session claiming the state’s budget crunch
Something has gone very wrong if it becomes necessary during a time of war to waive a law that was intended to strengthen national security. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act for the transport of certain energy products and fertilizer. As you might already
Two important housing reform measures were unexpectedly killed this week as the state House and Senate prepared for “crossover” at the Legislature, during which the chambers exchange all the bills they have so far approved. This is regrettable not just because of what it means for Hawaii’s ongoing housing crisis,
I wish more of our lawmakers would realize that no government program could do as much to help struggling families in the islands as significant tax cuts. But maybe public reaction to the governor’s effort to “pause” the phase-in of the state’s historic 2024 income tax cuts will help them
