HOOSER: Policy, politics, affordable housing and elections
Three days out from the close of our primary election and there’s no better time to examine the confluence of policy and politics - a text book example really, Kauai style.
HOOSER: Lieutenant Governor – it’s time to come clean
I’m as sick and tired of this conversation as anyone. We should be talking about the future and solving the many challenges facing our community, not asking an elected official seeking higher office to do the bare minimum that any other state employee with a suspected conflict of interest would be asked to do.
HOOSER: Kaua‘i County Council election, by the numbers
There are 19 candidates now in the race for election to serve on the Kaua‘i County Council. On August 13 that list will be whittled down to the top 14 vote-getters. Then on November 4th, the final top 7 will go on to serve Kaua‘i County for the next 2 years.
HOOSER: Kaua‘i — Counting votes for affordable housing
The lack of affordable housing is cited as the #1 issue by just about every candidate on the ballot in the Primary Election scheduled for August 13.
HOOSER: Who controls Hawaiʻi elections?
There’s really no mystery, no black box, no secret formula, and for sure there is no conspiracy. It’s all very simple and basic really - our government is controlled by the people who show up to vote.
HOOSER: Campaign-finance reform requires your input
Today, June 29, 2022, the Hawaii Commission To Improve Standards Of Conduct (CISC) is scheduled to discuss recommendations on campaign finance reform.
HOOSER: Kauai County Council: An argument over affordable housing
I have a confession. For the first time in over 4 years, I watched an entire County Council meeting.
Affordable-housing initiative back on the table
There is good news, bad news and more good news.
What’s going on in Koloa?
The battle unfolding in Koloa is oh so typical of what happens way too often on Kaua‘i and throughout the islands.
HOOSER: What a novel idea: Lawmakers following the law
Will your state legislator be truthful with you when answering the below 3 questions? Will they seek proactive and positive solutions or will they deny there’s a problem and look the other way? Ask them please!
HOOSER: Tourism and tax policy – go big, go bold
Why does Kauai County have the lowest property tax rates for hotels and resorts in the entire State of Hawaii?
HOOSER: Council votes down $4.5M in tax money
Councilmembers voted to keep TVR (transient vacation rental) tax rates lower and postpone new investments in affordable housing.
HOOSER: Many deserve credit for minimum-wage increase
Assuming Governor Ige’s approval, Hawaii’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 per hour to $12 in October, then phased increases will continue until it reaches $18 in 2028. In addition working families should celebrate the fact that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was made permanent and refundable.
HOOSER: Why I am here, in 3 minutes or 549 words
I had 3 minutes. The group I was speaking to was a new organization, formed to support candidates whose values supported people and the aina. The question I was asked to speak to was: Why are we here?
HOOSER: Raise the rage; time to take action on minimum wage
Top executives of Hawaii’s largest publicly traded companies received an average pay increase of more than $750,000 in 2021. Their average take-home pay:$4.5 million (HNN).
HOOSER: 2022 elections: Some speculation, some facts
The 2022 Kaua‘i election lineup is slowly starting to take shape. As of 04/15, 10 residents have formally expressed interest in running for the seven-member County Council. In 2020 there were 21 candidates on the primary ballot, with the top 14 going on to the general election.
HOOSER: Tax the rich, cool the real estate market, build affordable housing
Multiple media outlets reported last week that in a bid to cool off a hot housing market, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government announced it will ban foreign investors from buying homes in Canada for two years. The Canadian government took a number of steps to tamp down speculation and demand amid record home prices including higher taxes.
HOOSER: Essential election information – dry but not horribly so
Todays column is unabashedly targeting political junkies, candidates, and those very special people who are helping candidates.
HOOSER: On the dearth and birth of leadership, Kaua‘i style
You really, really, really need to watch this video, youtu.be/HFuKr4ST0w8.
HOOSER: The New Political Reality: Virtual meetings in virtual backrooms
It’s times like this when I wish I had finished law school, or perhaps married a lawyer, or had my children grow up to be lawyers, or had a bunch of money and could just hire a bunch of lawyers.