Tax fairness promoted in bills would implement major changes
The Hawaii Tax Fairness Coalition is advocating for bills that would make major changes to the state’s income tax, capital gains tax, real estate sales tax and a tax on income for real estate investment trusts.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers debate scaling back promised tax cuts
In 2024, lawmakers passed sweeping tax relief under Act 46, promising phased income tax reductions for Hawaiʻi residents over several years. But the state’s financial outlook has changed.
Balancing the state budget could require pauses to income tax cut plan
With federal funding cuts on the horizon, state lawmakers are advancing measures proposed by Gov. Josh Green that would pause some of the “historic” state tax cuts passed in 2024.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers debate Gov. Green’s freeze on income tax cut
Because lower tax rates through this year will continue at the 2026 level beyond this year, Green’s office said Hawaiʻi families will save $5.4 billion over the next five years after $1.5 billion this year under his proposal.
Protecting Hawaiʻi’s future demands pause on tax cuts
In the face of severe and unpredictable federal cuts, the plan to pause future state income tax cuts is a responsible safeguard for the very foundations of our community.
Scrutinize pause of tax cuts for all
Freezing progression of at least some of the state’s planned tax cuts is the clearest, cleanest path to preserving financial balance—at least until the effect of federal spending cuts is fully determined.
New online tool shows disparities between communities on basic needs
Annalisa Burgos asks Hawaiʻi Appleseed how its Economic Justice Data Dashboard can help focus government spending.
Possible recession, federal cuts could have outsize effect on low-income households
A new budget report from the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center sheds light on the difficulties our state may face in funding critical services as federal dollars dry up and a recession hits.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers plan special sessions to address federal funding cuts
State lawmakers are blocking off three dates in the coming months for a special legislative session to address federal funding cuts.
Hawaiʻi set to offer nutrition support services to Medicaid patients
Medicaid patients may soon benefit from a five-year federal waiver that allows Hawaiʻi MedQUEST program to use Medicaid dollars to expand services with community-based food and nutrition organizations.
How the ‘Build Back Better’ plan saves money and lives
The answer lies in an expansion of the strategy that held the line against poverty in 2020 and that helped America out of the Great Depression.
Furloughs likely to worsen delays of unemployment, Medicaid and SNAP claims
Governor Ige’s plan to furlough state workers could further increase the already-maddening length of time it takes to process critical services like unemployment.
A dream deferred: A week after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the war on the poor continues
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the Trump Administration to enforce a rule which makes it harder for poor immigrants to be granted green cards or visas.
Judge torn on fate of nuke victims’ care
A group of 7,700 Pacific island migrants in Hawaiʻi who suffer from the long-term effects of U.S. nuclear testing await a federal judge’s ruling on a request to dismiss a class-action lawsuit that seeks to restore their medical benefits.
Suit seeks restored health benefits for Pacific migrants
A class-action federal lawsuit was filed yesterday in an attempt to restore health benefits to Sound and about 7,500 Pacific island migrants in Hawaiʻi.
Lawsuit: state discriminates in care for Micronesians
New cuts to medical benefits for low-income residents based on nationality amount to discrimination, according to a federal class action lawsuit filed Monday against the state of Hawaiʻi on behalf of disabled Micronesians.
Federal judge has granted TRO to Micronesians over health care plan
A federal judge has blocked cutbacks to state-funded medical care for about 7,500 adult Micronesians from taking effect today.
Health plan faces legal challenge
Lawyers for Equal Justice is considering legal action to delay implementation Tuesday of a new state health plan key legislators say “could be a death sentence” for some residents.