Working families deserve permanent earned income tax refund
We can ensure that communities across Hawaiʻi are stronger and better prepared for the many challenges that lay ahead in the 21st century by strengthening our state EITC.
West Oʻahu reps plan to tackle traffic, tech and the cost of living
Lawmakers want the public to weigh in this session on the bills that matter most to their communities.
Hawaiʻi tax reform could increase healthcare affordability, experts say
The Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center is calling for lawmakers to pass tax reform that would address racial and socioeconomic disparities across the state.
Biden’s spending bill could be a ‘game changer’ for housing in Hawaiʻi
The Build Back Better bill that the U.S. Senate is debating has the potential to make a huge dent in Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing needs, according to advocates.
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.
Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center director Beth Giesting’s economic update
The pandemic’s effect on the state economy: Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis, and its role as a social determinant of health; and key takeaways from the state budget.
Invest in human infrastructure, not just roads and bridges
Reps. Ed Case and Kai Kahele have the opportunity to help Congress build back a more resilient and equitable economy.
State tax collections soared back to pre-pandemic levels in the past year
The stunning rebound in general treasury tax revenue was driven by increased state income tax collections.
Hawaiʻi gov intends to veto dozens of bills, likely triggering a special session
Ige signaled he may scrap the legislature’s last tax fairness proposal, which would raise taxes on the sale of luxury property valued over $4 million.
A cautious legislature, locked in the capitol, played it safe
Critics hoped the pandemic would be the catalyst for significant changes to address longterm problems facing Hawaiʻi. But the budget shortfall dominated the 2021 session.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers finish session after huge federal aid boost
The pandemic wouldn’t have hurt nearly as much if Hawaiʻi residents were making wages that paid enough to cover their basic needs.
City Council considers measure that would create a progressive residential property tax
The shift to a more progressive property tax was suggested by the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency in 2019.
Lawmakers should pass tax bills to fix our upside-down tax system
Minimum wage earners should not be paying a higher percentage in taxes than those at the top.
Virus relief money plugs hole in proposed Hawaiʻi budget
Beth Giesting said she still needs to see more details of the House budget but she’s optimistic that Hawaiʻi won’t have to drastically cut spending as feared.
Senate’s tax fairness bill is good for Hawaiʻi—here’s why
Senate Bill 56 accomplishes what most of us would like our tax system to do: It assesses a greater contribution to the public good from those who can afford it.
New federal relief bill will help Hawaiʻi. But it’s still not enough for a full recovery
At the end of the day, vaccinations are what will help get tourists back to the islands, economists say, although it will likely take several years before the economy looks like it did before the pandemic.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers considering nation’s highest income tax
The bill includes hikes to the capital gains tax, corporate tax and taxes on high-end real estate sales.
Here’s how tax increases are shaking out in the Hawaiʻi legislature
Senators moved to raise income taxes on high earners, and the House passed capital gains and inheritance tax increases.
Report calls for better data about and for Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians face disproportionate social and economic problems, but data about them is often incomplete, complicating efforts to improve the situation.
Over 400 organizations urge senate to pass American Rescue Plan for state and local aid
The organizations highlighted how state and local budgets have been slashed, causing job losses in critical sectors like education and healthcare that will be central to addressing the public health crisis.