Politics

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.

A solemn remembrance started 24 years ago continues at the State Capitol grounds.

The post-Millennial generation will be entering the workforce in great numbers next year and there are some lessons they could learn from older cohorts – like hooking up on the job.

The Homelessness Coalition of state, county, faith-based and social services organizations is setting its priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Hawai’i homes with cesspools must be upgraded by 2050. But, a State Environmental Council Committee is calling for more scientific evidence to drive this mandate.

The Governor submitted his executive budget request to the state legislature today as required by law.

The upcoming tax preparation season in Hawai’i, according to some accountants, will be one of the most complicated in at least 3 decades.

The State announced today the conclusion of an administrative investigation into Randall Saito’s escape from the State Hospital two years ago.

Hawai’i Teens are in crisis. That, according to mental health advocates locally and nationally.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs conducted its first meeting following the November 6th election of new members.

 A statue of Hawai’i’s former Congresswoman Patsy Mink was dedicated today.

The Honolulu City Council failed to override the Mayor’s Veto of an important fire sprinkler bill.

Hale Kipa, a state-wide nonprofit youth services organization, achieved a decade-long goal today.

The Inauguration Ceremony for the state’s top chief executives was conducted today.

The Honolulu City Council is putting the brakes on a proposal to improve cellphone coverage and generate millions in non-taxpayer revenue.

The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 64 two weeks ago to speed up the permitting process for residential homes. Today, the Mayor announced his own plan.

Car racing proponents and leeward coast residents lobbied the Honolulu City Council today.

The State crossed a major milestone this month in its effort to improve tax collections and investigate fraud.

It's day 45 for 2,700 hotel workers on strike in Hawai’i.

O’ahu isn’t the only island where transit oriented development is being considered for the future.

The City and County of Honolulu unveiled what it calls the biggest homeless hygiene center in the nation today.

Community advocates and sex workers in Hawai’i are mobilizing to be heard at the State Legislature next session.

The Honolulu City Council today approved a conceptual plan for the tallest high-rise project in the urban core.

Funding for public education will be a key issue again for legislators next year.  But first, the debate should focus on how the public school system can do a better job with the money they currently receive. 

The Hawai’i Supreme Court invalidated the Constitutional Amendment question for public education funding on the Nov 6th General Election ballot.  But, 85 percent of voters made choices, anyway. 

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i hosted a Transportation Summit today focusing on fossil fuel consumption for ground transportation.