Stateline Headlines

Initial unemployment claims up 6.5% in Hawaii

Regents must step out of the shadows and get UH on course

Hotel rates rise 8% in Hawaii on mixed occupancy

Investigate airport contracts

State pension fund is on track to top annual targeted return

UH regents vote to clear $13M debt for athletics

UH president search yet to begin

Officials still optimistic despite 4.7% rise in homeless population

Staff shortage, varied filings tie up rail cash, state says

For Abercrombie, Senate primary is a chance to make his mark

State officials slack on costs, contracts

Isle tea party groups criticize IRS for singling them out

With prejudice: Teachers union withdraws labor complaint

Hawaii Tourism Authority issues RFPs for China, Taiwan marketing contracts

Hawaii reschedules Medicaid open enrollment

US Senate committee amends immigration bill to restore Medicaid to migrants from Micronesia

State cancels open enrollment for 250K Quest members

Errors scrub sign-up for insurance

Abercrombie mulling bill to help local pharmacies

Isle Army Guard patrols in Texas

Homelessness, native issues top meeting on Thomas Square

Hawaii’s economic growth forecast to outpace rest of U.S.

Hawaii hotel room rates highest among top five U.S. markets in Q1

Interior hit for 'hands off' position on DHHL

State gives away apartments

Greenwood defends regents, herself, citing 'lack of respect'

Public involvement advised in picking new UH president

Retirement, benefits push UH leaders' pay past $500,000

Initial unemployment claims in Hawaii up 3%

Legislature gets mostly decent grades for impact on business

Lack of action on solar tax credits leaves industry looking for answers

No more excuses

State health centers to get $1.1 million to enroll uninsured

Drop in value of Japanese yen might harm tourism in Hawaii

Hawaii sees 14 percent increase in properties facing foreclosure

Restrict smoking in public housing

54% of class of 2012 in college

Ideas abound as hunt begins for UH leader

Hawaii leaders hail transparency of 2013 Legislature, but critics say more changes needed

Ideas abound as hunt begins for UH leader

Senator takes action on homestead issues

No wait necessary

Governor begins campaigning on neighbor islands

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood announces her retirement

No Wait Necessary

Legislators set sights on 2014

'Pick and choose'

'New day,' new bills mostly promise new headaches

Legislators kill bill to reduce state's take of rail surcharge

Legislators set sights on 2014

Governor's legislative defeat puts tots in educational bind

Bill to buy Lipoa Point not backed by funding

Smoking ban near at public housing

Lawmakers Chew on Weighty Issues: ‘Whose shad fry is the best?’

Photo Slideshow: Lawmakers call time out to weigh delicious legislation.

Backlash for Red-Light Cameras Hasn’t Slowed Spread

Throughout the country, state legislatures are considering how broadly to use traffic cameras, but the number of communities using them keeps growing.

Issue to Watch: Renewable Energy

Here is a look at states considering major action on renewable energy policy.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2013

Honolulu, Hawaii -- Jan 22 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Seniors Are New Target for Tax Increases

Over the years, states have carved out ever more generous tax breaks for the elderly. Now, Kentucky and a few other states are beginning to question whether these policies cost too much.

After Election Day Confusion, Hawaii Gov Pushes Full Mail-In Voting

On the heels of an Election Day plagued by long lines and mass confusion, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie says he’s pushing for major changes to voting on the islands —mainly, the elimination of the traditional Election Day altogether.

Sunshine Overruns: Hawaii’s Solar Tax Credits Carry Soaring Price Tag

The widespread popularity of Hawaii’s solar energy incentive — and mass confusion over how to implement it — have dealt a blow to the state’s treasury and become a major topic in state politics.

Hawaii Judge: Online Travel Companies Don’t Owe Unpaid Taxes

Online travel companies that book hotel rooms in Hawaii have not shortchanged the state millions in tax remittances, a state judge ruled Monday, continuing a losing trend for governments challenging the companies’ tax practices.

Hawaii Teachers Halt Labor Negotiations, Escalating Conflict

Strong unions and a liberal governor might seem well-positioned to get along with each other, but it isn’t working out that way in Hawaii.

Dam Inspectors Fear the Deluge

Each year, more dams in the United States show signs of disrepair. Meanwhile, the money to fix them grows harder to find.

Best of #StateReads: Ex-Parks Official Had Criminal Past

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Hawaii First State Where Plastic Bags Banned

Hawaii has become the first state where plastic bans at the checkout aisle are banned statewide, following the passage of laws in each of its four counties.

As Washington Gridlock Persists, States Get Creative in Funding Renewable Energy

The federal government has drastically reduced its funding for renewable energy. States have come up with some unusual ways to try and replace it.

Graduate Students Campaign to Unionize

Can a graduate research assistant be a public employee? States and universities are struggling to sort that question out.

Spread of Soda Taxes Fizzles

TAX & BUDGET BEAT: Taxes on soft drinks looked like the next big thing two years ago, but they haven't caught on yet.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2012

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 23 - Following is the text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2012 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, former Governors, distinguished justices of the courts, mayors, representatives of our Congressional Delegation, members of the Hawai'i State Legislature, other

Pentagon Cuts Have Military States Worried

The federal debt-reduction deal contains at least $350 billion - but perhaps as much as $950 billion - in defense spending cuts over 10 years. Some states see serious problems for their military-dependent economies.

Arizona's Brewer Vetoes School Bill

EDUCATION BEAT: An education bill is rejected by the governor in Arizona ... California universities seek to attract more out-of-state students ... Detroit schools send out thousands of pink slips, and more education news.

California Looks to Current Workers' Pensions for Savings

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Pension commission argues for tough choices in California … Republican governors back off opposition to collective bargaining … No more "SWAG" in California, and other government management news.

Earmark Ban Takes Shape on Capitol Hill

TODAY'S TAKE: The powerful chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has joined House Republicans and President Obama in calling for a stop to earmarks, a decision that is certain to have fiscal consequences for states.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2011

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 24 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2011 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, former governors, distinguished justices of the court, mayors, representatives of our Congressional Delegation, members of the Hawaii State Legislature, other elec

Peter Shumlin Picks a Team of Rivals

TRANSITION WATCH: Vermont's governor-elect appoints former political opponents, Iowa's thrifty transition and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

TRANSITION WATCH: Jerry Stermer returns three months after he resigned in Illinois, charges of nepotism in South Dakota and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Historic Firsts on State High Courts

TODAY'S TAKE: The Hawaii Supreme Court would be led by a woman for the first time ever - and California's high court would have its first female majority - under judicial nominations made by the two states' governors last week.

In Hawaii, an Imbroglio Over an Investment Gone Bad

Hawaii Auditor Marion Higa (left)and Governor Linda Lingle (right) Hawaii holds $1 billion worth of securities that have become nearly impossible to unload since the market froze in 2008. When Auditor Marion Higa (pictured bottom) issued a report looking at the problem, it opened a debate with Governor Linda Lingle (top) about how the state's finances are managed.

Weekly Wrap: Govs Seek to Prop Up Budget Reserve Funds

Depleted rainy day funds prompt review; Toyota's temporary sales suspension could impact state revenue; Ohio loses an iconic employer; and new studies released on recession, state stimulus web sites.

Summary of the Hawaii State of the State Address

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R) on Jan. 25 laid out an ambitious agenda for her final year in office, proposing tax credits to stimulate clean energy jobs, strengthening the education department by putting it in the governor's Cabinet and creating a budget stabilization fund to help protect the state's finances.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2010

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 25 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Senate President Hanabusa, Speaker Say, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Aiona, former Governor Ariyoshi, members of the Legislature, cabinet members, Chief Justice Moon, Chair Apoliona, Mayor Hannemann, mi

Iowa Governor Touts 4-Day Workweek

TODAY'S TAKE: Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) is touting Utah's first-in-the-nation move to a four-day workweek for most executive-branch state workers, and he is pushing the proposal as a way to cut costs in his own state. Hawaii and Washington State have also tried the idea.

Credit Unions Help Strapped State Employees

As state employees across the country are being hammered by layoffs, pay cuts and forced unpaid days off, some state employees' credit unions are stepping in to help workers get through these tough times.

Furloughs Cut Into State Services

With states facing a $121 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year, a growing number of them have turned to squeezing their workforce for savings, and effects both great and small will be felt.

AGs Optimistic on Better State-Fed Relations

State attorneys general, who this month attended their first meeting with new U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, say they are hopeful they can forge better relations with Washington, D.C., on environmental protection, sex offender policy and other subjects that became state-federal battlegrounds during the Bush administration.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2009

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 26 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Senate President Hanabusa, Speaker Say, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Aiona, former Governor Ariyoshi, former Governor Waihe'e and Mrs. Waihe'e, members of the Legislature, cabinet members, Chief Justice

Shifting Economy Keeps States Guessing

A month from the start of many legislative sessions, state leaders still don't know how much money they will have to cut from budgets.

Three States Weigh Calls for New Charters

Also see: • A comprehensive list of state elections• A printable PDF of major ballot issues Voters in Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois will decide this year whether to convene constitutional conventions that could alter the framework of their state governments. Proponents hope the conventions would bring about much-needed changes; opponents worry the results would be unworkable.

Newest States in the Union Get top Billing

With Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's addition to the Republican national ticket, all of the last three states admitted to the Union - Hawaii, Alaska and Arizona - can boast of being the home to major party candidates in this presidential election.

Keeping Tabs on State Delegations

Creating headlines at home from the GOP convention, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford tells reporter John O'Connor of The State (Columbia) that he doesn't plan to run again after his second and last term as governor ends in 2010, ruling out any run for a U.S. Senate seat. "Politics for the rest of my life is not (in my plans). ... Life doesn't end when politics end."

State Reporters on the Big Stories

Statehouse reporters from across the country are keeping tabs on their home-state politicians' attempts to snatch a piece of the national spotlight in Denver during the Democratic National Convention.

Hawaii Sees Jump in Democratic Rolls, Thanks to Obama

Photo by Barbara Rosewicz, Stateline.org Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz celebrates opening night of the convention with fellow delegate Andy Winer, director of Barack Obama's state campaign committee. Aug. 26, 2008, 5:00 p.m. EDTDENVER - Barack Obama may represent the Land of Lincoln, but his Hawaiian roots have been a boon to the Aloha State's Democratic Party. "Sen. Obama's nomination has been one of the best things for our party's growth," Brian Schatz, chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, said during a break during the state's delegation Aug. 25 breakfast. The party's membership rolls spiked by 36,000 in just one day following Obama's decisive win in the state's Feb. 19 caucuses, he said. "We know he's the senator from Illinois but we take great pride in the fact that he grew up in Honolulu," he said. Schatz said the party hopes to build on that momentum to win back the governor's seat in 2010, when current Republican Gov. Linda Lingle must step down because of term limits. "We have several good possibilities" in terms of Democratic candidates, he said. Schatz said with Obama in the White House, Hawaii hopes to see more federal dollars for a $6 billion rail project, the biggest in state history. He also said he hopes the next president and Congress give Native Hawaiians the same federal recognition that Native Americans have. Obama supports the legislation, he said.AFTER THE JUMP: Audio from the Stateline.org interview with Schatz -Pamela M. Prah Comments

States Lock Out Drunk Drivers

Most states now have laws that can order drunk drivers to use in-car breathalyzers, called ignition interlocks, that prevent cars from starting if alcohol is detected. While some laws are more lenient, seven states require the ignition interlocks for all first-time convictions.

WORTH NOTING: Tax refund hardly a windfall

Hawaii lawmakers spread the state's good fortune - thinly. A Colorado state senator calls for a probe of his own business dealings. And a Texas inmate enters the Idaho presidential primary. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Report: States Seeking Prison Solutions

State governments, facing leaner budgets this year as the national economy struggles, are exploring strategies to contain surging prison populations without building costly new correctional facilities, according to a report released Wednesday (Jan. 23).

Hawaii State of the State Address 2008

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 22 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's website to view the address. Good morning fellow residents of Hawai'i…our 'ohana…kama'?ina and malihini…keiki and k?puna…civilian and military…Speaker Say…Pr

WORTH NOTING: Legislator Has Paparazzi Issues

A new Colorado legislator made waves his first day by kicking a news photographer. A North Carolina gubernatorial candidate opens his campaign with a spelling error, and then a cover-up. And North Dakota's governor is angry about how his state is portrayed in National Geographic. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Report: Women govs get high marks

Women running for governor still have to work harder than men, but once elected, voters think female governors are better at getting things done and solving problems than their male counterparts, new research released Nov. 29 shows.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2007

Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 22 - Following is the prepared text of Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) 2007 state of the state address. Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Aiona, members of the Legislature, Chief Justice Moon, Chair Apoliona, cabinet members, military leaders, members of the counselor corps, di

Hawaii Adopts New School Funding

When its new school year begins Thursday, Hawaii will become the first state to use a weighted student funding formula statewide. Although the state has only one school district, its new funding plan is designed to ensure that money for education is spread more equitably among its 287 schools.