News Releases

News release: Grassroot Institute supports Alaska bid seeking exemption from cruising ban

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii March 7, 2021

The following is a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on March 6, 2021, regarding testimony it submitted to the Alaska Senate Labor and Commerce Committee about Senate Joint Resolution 9. _____________ Alaska’s tourism industry is in deep trouble because foreign cruise ships may not carry passengers between U.S. ports without a foreign

NEWS RELEASE: Legislators ignore Ige’s lead, introduce dozens of tax bills

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii January 27, 2021

The following was a news release issued Jan. 26, 2020, by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. ____________ Hawaii’s economy is on the ropes right now, but that hasn’t stopped some legislators from going all in with new tax-increase proposals HONOLULU, Jan. 26, 2021 >> Except for a new “fee” to be imposed on

New report calls for reform of state’s emergency powers

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii January 18, 2021

The following was a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Jan. 18, 2021. ___________ Hawaii’s Legislature needs to step in to prevent the extensive exercise of unchecked unilateral power, says the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii HONOLULU, Jan. 18, 2021 >> Hawaii’s emergency-management laws need to be reformed to prevent

Delaying EUTF payments will add $8 billion to Hawaii taxpayer debt

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii January 12, 2021

This following is a news release issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Jan. 12, 2021. ______________ Efforts to save money now will cost taxpayers more later while putting government employees and retirees at risk, says the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii HONOLULU, Jan. 12, 2020 >> Hawaii taxpayers will

NEWS RELEASE: Governor being coy in new budget about tax increases totaling $1 billion

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii December 25, 2020

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii advises that the best way to increase state tax revenues is to encourage economic growth HONOLULU, Dec. 24, 2020 >> Gov. David Ige’s proposed budget for fiscal 2021-2023 includes $1 billion of “other revenues,”[1] the source of which is not transparent, but which likely

NEWS RELEASE: Hawaii has third-fastest population decline in nation

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii December 23, 2020

HONOLULU, Dec. 22, 2020 >> Hawaii’s economic crisis has precipitated the third-fastest level of economic flight per capita in the nation, behind Illinois, and followed by West Virginia, Mississippi and Alaska, according to the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. U.S. Census Bureau data released today shows Hawaii’s population declined in fiscal 2020 by 8,609,

NEWS RELEASE: State deficit equals overspending since 2012

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii December 16, 2020

HONOLULU, Dec. 16, 2020 >> The state spent $1.4 billion over its constitutional spending cap during the past decade, which might have been enough to deal with the state’s current $1.4 billion shortfall for each of the next four fiscal years,[1] according to research from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. In

Dick Rowland, founder and chairman emeritus of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, dies at age 90

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii November 29, 2020

Photo by Craig T. Kojima, courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser The following was issued as a news release on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2020. ________________ The former Army officer and insurance executive was 71 when he set out to educate Hawaii residents about the benefits of freedom HONOLULU, Nov. 28, 2020 >> One of Hawaii’s

State unemployment tax slated to automatically triple in 2021

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii November 16, 2020

This article was issued as a news release on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, and again on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. _______________ Failure to address the legally required increase could discourage employers from hiring back employees after the lockdowns HONOLULU, Nov. 15, 2020 >> Hawaii’s yearly unemployment tax on businesses is set to

Old federal maritime law holds back Hawaii tourism, new report shows

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 21, 2020

The following is a news release sent out to all Hawaii media on Oct. 21, 2020. ____________ Ocean cruising has been suspended during the lockdowns, but when it resumes, it needs more freedom to benefit Hawaii HONOLULU, Oct. 21, 2020 >> Ocean cruising is a natural for Hawaii’s tourism industry, but federal law has