Kevin Dayton – Honolulu Civil Beat https://www.civilbeat.org/author/kevin-dayton/ Honolulu Civil Beat - Investigative Reporting Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:06:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 Taxes, Housing And Fighting Chickens Are Up For A Vote As The Hawaii Legislature Heads Into The Home Stretch https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/taxes-housing-and-fighting-chickens-are-up-for-a-vote-as-the-hawaii-legislature-heads-into-the-home-stretch/ Wed, 10 Apr 2024 04:44:24 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1641100

Lawmakers also hope to put a question securing same-sex marriage on the ballot this fall.

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Lawmakers also hope to put a question securing same-sex marriage on the ballot this fall.

]]> The Last Major Tax Bills Still Alive This Session Would Cut Income And Estate Taxes https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/the-last-major-tax-bills-still-alive-this-session-would-cut-income-and-estate-taxes/ Tue, 09 Apr 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1640817

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 Hawaii's wealthiest families.

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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 Hawaii's wealthiest families.

]]> Key House Committee Approves Bill To Charge HECO Customers To Mitigate Wildfire Risk https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/key-house-committee-approves-bill-to-charge-heco-customers-to-mitigate-wildfire-risk/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:16:17 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1640261

Hawaiian Electric Co. executives want an extra fee of up to 5% added to electric bills to develop and implement a wildfire prevention plan.

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Hawaiian Electric Co. executives want an extra fee of up to 5% added to electric bills to develop and implement a wildfire prevention plan.

]]> Your Electric Bill Could Be Going Up To Help Pay For Wildfire Prevention Measures https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/your-electric-bill-could-be-going-up-to-help-pay-for-wildfire-prevention-measures/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1640170

Hawaii lawmakers are considering a new fee to help HECO's fire-fighting plan but there was strong testimony against it.

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Hawaii lawmakers are considering a new fee to help HECO's fire-fighting plan but there was strong testimony against it.

]]> A Dispute Between The AG And Honolulu Prosecutor Is Playing Out In The Senate https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/a-dispute-between-the-ag-and-honolulu-prosecutor-is-playing-out-in-the-senate/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1638549

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm quit taking minor criminal cases generated by state law enforcement last year.

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Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm quit taking minor criminal cases generated by state law enforcement last year.

]]> Hawaii Senate Committee’s Spending Plan Includes Hundreds Of Millions For Maui Fire Costs https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/hawaii-senate-committees-spending-plan-includes-hundreds-of-millions-for-maui-fire-costs/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:32:58 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1638942

Senators also gave preliminary approval to a $19 billion supplemental budget bill to pay for state government operations for the coming year.

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Senators also gave preliminary approval to a $19 billion supplemental budget bill to pay for state government operations for the coming year.

]]> The Cost Of Maui’s Recovery Will Be ‘Enormous,’ But House Leaders Say The State Has The Money https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/the-cost-of-mauis-recovery-will-be-enormous-but-house-leaders-say-the-state-has-the-money/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:59:52 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1635831

House Finance Committee Chairman Kyle Yamashita says the state general fund had a surplus of $1.34 billion heading into this year's session.

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House Finance Committee Chairman Kyle Yamashita says the state general fund had a surplus of $1.34 billion heading into this year's session.

]]> Council On Revenues Anticipates 4% Growth This Year Despite Maui Fire Problems https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/council-on-revenues-anticipates-4-growth-this-year-despite-maui-fire-problems/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:32:09 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1635150

The council is concerned about empty Honolulu office space, a soft real estate market and high interest rates but also anticipates a strong construction industry.

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The council is concerned about empty Honolulu office space, a soft real estate market and high interest rates but also anticipates a strong construction industry.

]]> Push To Increase Auto Insurance Coverage Could Raise Costs For Hawaii Consumers https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/push-to-increase-auto-insurance-coverage-could-raise-costs-for-hawaii-consumers/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1633665

Two bills being considered by the Legislature would increase the legally required minimum liability coverage, which could boost the cost of premiums.

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Two bills being considered by the Legislature would increase the legally required minimum liability coverage, which could boost the cost of premiums.

]]> Lawmakers: ‘Stop The Bleeding’ Of State Cash To Pay For Maui Fire Victims https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/02/lawmakers-stop-the-bleeding-of-state-cash-to-pay-for-maui-fire-victims/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 04:59:54 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1633033

Senators worry about the escalating costs for Maui hotels that the federal government is refusing to pay.

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Senators worry about the escalating costs for Maui hotels that the federal government is refusing to pay.

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