Concerns rise for low-income families over legislature's recent tax cut measure
The cost of the tax cuts concerns some advocates. An analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated an initial annual revenue loss of $656 million, that balloons to close to $1.5 billion by 2030. That's about 10 percent of the state's total budget.
Lawmakers give final approval to a ‘historic’ income tax cut in long day of voting
The tax bill along with nearly 200 other measures now go to Gov. Josh Green for his consideration.
It’s being called Hawaiʻi’s biggest tax break, but some will get more help than others
Although pleased the inheritance tax reduction failed, Hawaiʻi Appleseed was unhappy that the reform bill delivers so much relief to people with the highest incomes.
In last-minute plea to Legislature, Maui’s mayor requests $125M for wildfire recovery aid
The request is getting a cool response amid pressure to do more for low-income residents.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen is on the hot seat now. And rightly so
Community and labor groups hope to hold legislators accountable to local working families.
The last major tax bills still alive this session would cut income and estate taxes
It's a tight budget year and lawmakers are being criticized for advancing a major reduction in the state inheritance tax that would only benefit Hawaiʻi's wealthiest families.
What do estate tax cuts for the wealthy say about Hawaiʻi’s priorities?
Should the tax cut become law, it will speak volumes about our state’s priorities.
With cloudy state finances, Hawaiʻi’s ‘rainy day’ fund held for future rainy day
“You have a rainy day fund, and it’s supposed to be used for emergencies,” said Tom Yamachika, president of the nonprofit Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi. “You’ve got an emergency.”
Rethinking Hawaiʻi’s conveyance tax
Hawaiʻi stands at the critical decision point in investing in our housing needs: The enactment of HB2364 holds the promise of a brighter, more inclusive future for all residents.
Advocates push to get a child tax credit through the Legislature this session
Family advocates, parents and a number of lawmakers say it’s time for a child tax credit in Hawaiʻi. Many of them gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday.
Lawmakers should embrace keiki credit
Given Hawaiʻi’s rising cost of living and the corresponding increase in child poverty, lawmakers should seize the opportunity to establish a state-level Child Tax Credit to provide tax relief for working families with children.
A proposed constitutional amendment would let Hawaiʻi use property taxes to fund schools
The Legislature passed a similar bill in 2018, but the state Supreme Court invalidated the ballot measure for using vague and unclear language.
Rebalance Hawaiʻi’s upside-down tax code to achieve prosperity for all
We are the third-worst state when it comes to taxing struggling working families.
New report on cycle of poverty in Hawaiʻi urges state lawmakers to find solutions
Solutions include substantially increasing public financing of affordable housing, as well as the creation of a state level child tax credit.
Study: Low wages a threat to ‘heart and soul’ of society in Hawaiʻi
The report concludes that chronically low wages have prevented Hawaiʻi’s working families from thriving, and that the effect of poverty on children has ramifications for future generations.
The long struggle over taxing the rich
States’ taxes lean most heavily on poorer residents. These states are trying to change that.
Hawaiʻi LG Sylvia Luke needed bailout from governor, documents show
At the 11th hour, Gov. Green pulled the lieutenant governor’s budget out of the red.
Top state officials were behind a secretive process that steered millions to a first responders center
Here's how $50 million got into the new state budget for a facility that had been rejected earlier in the session.
Working families win with EITC expansion
The state’s earned income tax credit will move us closer to an affordable Hawaiʻi.
Working families need tax relief
The past few years have been rough for those on the lower rungs of the income ladder. The legislature is right to focus on lightening the financial burden of those households.