Politics

It was Video Game Industry Day at the State Capitol. But, there is one bill pending at the state legislature that is aimed at improving the lives of children who spend a lot of time on their electronic devices.

The City and County of Honolulu is ranked the most dangerous city in the nation for seniors, ages 65 and older, being hit in sidewalks and for seniors at risk of being killed as pedestrians.  Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled a 7-point plan to increase pedestrian safety.

There are bills moving through the legislature in both houses that aim to tax currently exempt corporate businesses.

All House and Senate Bills with multiple committee referrals must reach their final committee by Friday. This is a “do or die deadline” for some bills.

The 2019 Legislative Session is almost at the 1/3rd mark but work on the State Budget appears to be moving slower than before.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi will be introducing a resolution to conduct a forensic audit of the 8.6 billion dollar Rail Transit Project. She says this was her top priority after taking office last month.

A proposed bill to ban all aquarium fishing statewide had a hearing Friday.

The first anti-abortion bill in 20 years was heard today by the state legislature in a standing-room only committee room.

It was Agriculture Day at the State Capitol today inside committee rooms and outside on display tables.

State Lawmakers are considering legislation to revamp how tourism taxes are distributed to the counties. 

A coalition of state lawmakers and community health organizations are pushing to outlaw flavored tobacco products in Hawai’i. 

The State’s County Mayors briefed a joint session of the Senate and House Finance Committees today.

It’s shaping up to be the year of the Keiki or Child at the State Capitol.

The dates for the Honolulu City Council District 4 Special Election were announced today.

The upcoming Special Election for the Honolulu City Council District 4 seat has not been scheduled. But the candidates aren’t waiting to go back on the campaign trail.

Hawai’i’s firearms law was declared unconstitutional by a federal appeals court last year. That ruling is currently being appealed. But there could be change no matter what the final outcome in federal court.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in July that Hawai’i’s law to carry firearms is unconstitutional.  The State and Hawai’i County have petitioned the Court to reconsider.  In the first of two reports, HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was granted an exclusive interview with the plaintiff in the case.

The Governor delivered his State of the State address to the Legislature today.

The Hawai’i Supreme Court heard oral arguments today on the District IV general election challenge in which Councilmember Trevor Ozawa had a 22-vote margin of victory over challenger Tommy Waters.  Attorney Thomas Otake, who represents 39 East O’ahu voters and Tommy Waters, an attorney who represented himself, argued that late votes were counted and mistakes were made.  Here’s an excerpt with Attorney Otake followed by Attorney Waters.

The use of e-cigarettes among high school teens in Hawai’i is two times higher than the national average, according to the latest surveys.  And, the state legislature will be asked again to tighten Hawai’i laws this session.

The State Legislature convened yesterday for its Opening Day ceremonies.

Nonprofits and other organizations seeking grants in aid from the State Legislature have a Friday deadline to turn in their applications. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka visited one of last year’s recipients in Hilo. 

A State Audit of the Honolulu Rail Project was released today.

The State’s General Fund forecast for the current fiscal year was lowered less than one percentage point today, meaning there’s less money to spend in the upcoming legislative session.

There are 12 new state lawmakers for the upcoming session – 9 in the House and 3 in the Senate. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka caught up with some of them and filed this report.  

The State Department of Agriculture briefed members of the Senate today on some of its budget priorities.

The State House of Representatives updated its new workplace harassment policy.

While many people are on vacation this week, there are several business days left in 2018. That means you still have time for some last minute adjustments in what will be a complicated tax season.