COVID-19 budget moves out for passage, but not without controversy
The allocations of the federal aid money drew criticism from social service agencies while the process of adopting the budget measure, using a method called gut-and-replace, riled others.
Social service workers rally at state Capitol
Lawmakers say they will use $635 million in CARES Act funds to assist the unemployed and local businesses, but advocates say it’s still not enough.
Nonprofits urge lawmakers to quickly commit federal funds to cope with social needs
The Working Families Coalition released a plan to distribute $362 million including CARES Act funds to help families with rent, food, healthcare and more.
Why the state doesn’t consistently track data on native Hawaiians
Lack of data about how many Native Hawaiians have coronavirus is indicative of a broader problem, advocates say.
Whatever politics are in play, politicians must get money to those hurting most in Hawaiʻi
Nearly one-third of adults in Hawaiʻi either missed last month’s rent or mortgage payment, or have “slight or no confidence that their household can pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time.”
This federal bailout is bringing a lot more money to Hawaiʻi than the last one in 2008
The Great Recession’s federal stimulus program focused on building projects while CARES is putting more money directly into the pockets of residents and business owners.
As lawmakers grapple with $1B shortfall, advocates urge them to preserve social safety net
Policy experts say the homeless crisis the state is dealing with today can be blamed—at least in part—on the decisions that were made a little more than a decade ago during the Great Recession.
Want the economy to recover? Don’t cut the public sector
Doing so would prolong unemployment and lead to poorer health, lost productivity and a drop in economic security.
Q&A: Beth Giesting on Hawaiʻi’s economy and Gov. Ige’s proposed 20 percent cut to public employee salaries
Giesting describes the potential impacts of Gov. Ige’s proposal and the actions she recommends to better support the state economy.
Hawaiʻi nonprofits want more say in how state spends federal virus aid
More than 60 nonprofits want the state to expand its safety net to help immigrants and other marginalized groups.
5 questions with retired head of the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center, Victor Geminiani
Our state and county leaders have critical work ahead to deliver on those values. Let’s hope we put ones in who are ready to chart the future we all want.
Hawaiʻi’s success against coronavirus requires government investment, not austerity
Our policymakers must take effective action to protect and support Hawaiʻi’s economy and, more importantly, its people.
Pandemic update: spring is here, but states brace for long winter
The impact of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi is starting to take shape as the state’s Council on Revenues projects that it could mean a $300 million hit to state tax collections.
New federal rules could hurt immigrants and state economy
Ever since the proposal was first leaked, critics predicted it would have a chilling effect on legal immigrant families who are eligible for public assistance.
Working families need more relief
The statistics about how many of Hawaiʻi’s people struggle look worse with each passing year, so plainly the safety net needs reinforcement.
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.
PHOCUSED joins forces with Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center
Together, the organizations will jointly pursue policy changes that benefit Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable populations.
Why the growing demand for AC threatens Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy goals
Far more residents now have air conditioning to deal with a warming climate. But their increased electrical use makes the problem worse.
Trump policy could have far-reaching effects on Hawaiʻi’s immigrant population
The public-charge rule has been a lightning rod in the national debate over immigration with critics accusing Trump of pushing racist policies that discriminate against immigrants.
SNAP benefits in jeopardy under Trump proposal
Nearly 16,500 Hawaiʻi residents could lose their SNAP benefits and more under a new rule change proposed by the Trump Administration