Legislators Pushing for More Affordable Rentals
Monday, February 27th, 2006
As part of an ongoing effort to increase available housing for low to moderate-income families, legislators are proposing to dramatically increase the number of affordable rentals in Hawaii. One proposal that has advanced in the Senate, SB 2999, relies in part on suggestions made last month by the Joint Legislative Housing and Homeless Task Force. The task force, co-chaired by Senator Ron Menor, recommends building 10,000 additional rental units within 5 years.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means advanced SB 3102 on February 23rd, which lowers the student to teacher ratio in Hawaii’s public schools. Studies have shown time and again that lower student to teacher ratios have a positive impact on students’ academic performance. The bill reduces the student to teacher ratio for all public elementary, middle, and high schools.
In response to state-wide concerns regarding residential development on designated agriculture lands, the Senate Committees on Water, Land and Agriculture and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, heard testimony on 
As the entire nation continues to heal from the devastating aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Senate Democrats have taken the lessons learned from the hurricanes and pushed through legislation to better prepare Hawaii in the event of a natural disaster. The Senate Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations advanced three disaster preparedness bills on February 16th.
In a February 17, 2006 Viewpoint article to the Maui News, Ways and Means Vice Chairman, Senator Shan S. Tsutsui expressed his concerns regarding Hawaii Superferry operations as currently planned.
The Senate Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing and Energy, Environment and International Affairs, voted to advance 
In response to Del Monte’s announcement that it will close it’s 100-year-old pineapple operation on Oahu, Senator Ron Menor, Chair, Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, introduced two bills (
In response to concerns over the sale of state lands in HCDA and A&B Properties Inc.’s proposed Kakaako Waterfront development project, legislators have introduced numerous bills focusing on the HCDA and its authority to sell public lands. On February 8th, the Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture advanced a few of these bills including, 
To help address the rising costs of electricity and fuel in Hawaii, the Senate Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs voted on February 9th, to advance five bills aimed at expanding renewable energy programs throughout the state. The bills focus on making state facilities more energy efficient and providing tax incentives for consumers that purchase vehicles that operate on clean fuels.
In an effort to keep the 1.6- acre Waiehu Beach Park on Maui in public hands, the Senate Committee on Business and Economic Development voted in support of 
After months of waiting, students, faculty and parents at Henry Perrine Baldwin High School can celebrate the long delayed release of funds from the Governor’s Office to design and expand a new library. A key proponent of the appropriation, Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, announced the release of $765,000 on February 3rd, and praised the hard work of the students, faculty and parents who lobbied Maui legislators for the new library.
Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice-Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Senate Majority Caucus Leader, announced that on Monday, February 6th, the Senate Committee on Business and Economic Development will hear 
