Hawaiʻi’s tax system exacerbates inequality
Hawaiʻi taxes—and those in the United States on average—increase inequality between rich and poor.
Public charge rule change would hurt Hawaiʻi’s economy
Not only would the proposed rule change adversely impact the standard of living of Hawaiʻi’s immigrant families, it would also harm Hawaiʻi’s overall economy.
After school supper is a big missed opportunity in Hawaiʻi
Only 182 Hawaiʻi children benefited from after school suppers on an average weekday in 2017, according to a new report from the Food Research and Action Center.
Incomes in Hawaiʻi are not as high as you’ve heard: Here’s why
Over the years, the media has often reported that Hawaiʻi incomes are among the highest in the nation. If that doesn’t sound quite right to you, trust your gut.
The life cycle of the Hawaiʻi state budget
The governor, the state Legislature, the Council on Revenues, the Department of Budget and Finance, and all the executive departments and agencies contribute to the process.
How Hawaiʻi’s constitution impacts its spending plan
In order for the executive branch to spend any money on programs or projects, the legislative branch has to write and pass a bill authorizing that specific expense.
Official poverty data obscures the reality faced by many Hawaiʻi residents
If you hear Hawaiʻi has one of the lowest official poverty rates in the nation, remember that doesn’t take into account our highest-in-the-nation cost of living.
Honolulu’s proposal to regulate short-term rentals needs serious help
Addressing the rampant proliferation of short-term vacation rentals in Hawaiʻi is critical to solving our housing crisis, but it’s imperative that we do it the right way: here’s how.
Budget basics: three common questions and their answers
The state budget is a spending plan for the state based on the amount of available money it has collected through taxes and other means.
School breakfast: building a solid foundation for learning
When you checkout at Safeway in September, you’ll have the option to donate to this important fundraiser to expand participation in school breakfast programs.
Supreme Court opens door to e-commerce tax equity
States can now require on-line and mail-order sellers to collect and remit taxes on sales to their state residents.
Hawaiʻi state budget highlights, 2017–19
Hawaiʻi’s budget is a powerful foundation for daily life and an important demonstration of our state’s priorities.
Federal tax cuts will actually do very little for working families in Hawaiʻi
It is already clear that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly benefits the most affluent among us, while doing almost nothing to help the people who need relief the most.
Coming soon: The Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center
Hawaiʻi Appleseed is creating a new think tank focused on research and analysis of state budget and tax policy—the Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center (HBPC).
Governor Ige signs HB209, a win for working families and children
With this new law, Hawaiʻi joins 28 other states and Washington D.C. in offering a state-level EITC to help working families keep more of their earnings.
ADU demo draws hundreds of visitors
The 10th-annual Build-a-Thon included a model accessory dwelling unit (ADU), a small dwelling that can be built on single-family properties.
Lahaina low-income housing at risk of losing its affordability
Over the past several months, Hawaiʻi Appleseed has been working with the tenants of Front Street Apartments, a 142-unit complex in Lahaina that houses 300 low-income residents, to preserve the development’s affordability.
Hawaiʻi bill will create historic new working families tax credit
Rep. Scott Saiki called passage of the bill the “most consequential work in the last few years to reduce poverty and Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living.”
Report emphasizes need for Hawaiʻi working family tax credit
Report highlights the financial situation of Hawaiʻi residents and their opinion of tax credits that would let low-income workers keep more of what they earn.
A win for Hawaiʻi’s foster families
The state human services department has agreed to increase the amount that should be paid to cover the expense of caring for children in foster care.