House staff pay to be cut (Posted November 21, 2009)
The state House has ordered 5 percent pay cuts for permanent full-time staff next year and salary reductions for session staff in response to the state's budget deficit. See story.
Hawaii governor, Legislature began session on high note, ended in a 'mess' of contention (Posted May 17, 2009)
Gov. Linda Lingle and state House and Senate leaders opened the year with optimistic talk about collaboration, about putting their political differences aside to confront the state's budget deficit, but that spirit did not survive more than a few weeks in See story.
How major bills fared at the Capitol (Posted May 17, 2009)
State lawmakers adjourned the session on May 8 after reviewing hundreds of bills. Here is the status of some of the more significant bills. Bills that have passed have been sent to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature or veto. The governor can also allow bills to become law without her signature. Lawmakers can override vetoes by two-thirds' votes in each chamber. See story.
Letdown for civil union backers (Posted May 9, 2009)
Supporters of a civil unions bill that's dead for this legislative session vowed yesterday to take up cause again in January, but conceded they are in for an uphill battle. "I don't know where we're headed," said Cecilia Fordham, a member of the board of Interfaith Alliance Hawaii, alluding to the state Senate's surprising actions on Thursday. See story.
Hawaii taxes to go up July 1 as lawmakers override governor (Posted May 9, 2009)
The dramatic final week of the state legislative session wound down yesterday with Democratic lawmakers following through on a promise to override Gov. Linda Lingle's vetoes of four measures that will increase taxes to balance the state budget. See story.
Hawaii enacts legislation on electric cars, alternative energy (Posted May 9, 2009)
Hawai'i will become one of only a few states that require large parking lots to reserve spaces for electric cars and to provide recharging capacity if a bill passed by the Legislature is signed into law. See story.
Isle GOP lacking candidates (Posted May 19, 2008)
Andy Smith, Gov. Linda Lingle's liaison in West Hawai'i, is the type of candidate state Republicans are looking for to compete with majority Democrats. See story.
Measure on illegal ATV use advances (Posted May 4, 2008)
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources could soon have the muscle it needs to combat a problem that has plagued Wai'anae Coast residents, pedestrians and motorists for years: Illegal all-terrain vehicles tearing along beaches, roadways and wilderness areas. See story.
U of Hawaii repairs short on funding (Posted May 3, 2008)
State House and Senate leaders differ about whether they fulfilled their promise to invest in the University of Hawai'i after they provided less new construction money than university administrators — and many lawmakers — had wanted this session. See story.
Solar power to clotheslines, bills make strides for a greener Hawai'i (Posted May 3, 2008)
Hawai'i could become the first state in the country to require that all new single-family homes come equipped with energy-saving solar water heaters. See story.
How major bills fared at the Capitol (Posted May 3, 2008)
State lawmakers adjourned the session on Thursday after reviewing hundreds of bills. Here is the status of some of the more significant bills. Bills that have passed have been sent to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature or veto. The governor can also allow bills to become law without her signature. Lawmakers can override vetoes by two-thirds' votes in each chamber. See story.
Fire-fighting bills draw praise (Posted May 2, 2008)
Three county fire chiefs, the Hawaii Firefighters Association, the National Fire Protection Association and some state lawmakers yesterday applauded the passage of fire-related bills this legislative session, including one that would mandate that all cigarettes sold in Hawai'i be of the "fire-safe" variety by 2009. See story.
Harvest limits on 'opihi fall short again (Posted May 1, 2008)
An attempt to restrict the harvesting of 'opihi to help increase populations of the limpets in Hawai'i failed yesterday in the Legislature. See story.