Senate Majority Caucus

Sen. Robert Bunda (D-Wahiawa, North Shore) introduced a bill last week that would establish a pilot project allowing temporary restraining orders (TRO) to be filed electronically, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

National statistics show that night and weekend filings constitute approximately 40 percent of domestic violence cases, and Senate Bill 2806 would allow persons in potentially-dangerous situations to obtain a TRO during hours when the courts are closed. (more…)

  Nowhere is the need to create a “sustainable” strategy for the future greater than in the area of affordable housing.

A growing number of communities, including resort communities, are using community land trusts to compensate for the skyrocketing costs of housing and the financial disincentives for developers to build affordable housing. Here in Hawaii, land banking has long been used to protect important agricultural and conservation resources. But the use of land banking to address our affordable housing needs is a relatively new twist to an old idea.
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Senate President Robert Bunda ended the 2006 Legislative session on May 4 with the delivery of his Closing Day remarks. President Bunda thanked his colleagues for setting aside differences and working in a bipartisan manner to pass a number of strong bills this session for the people of Hawaii. Top legislative accomplishments included strong proposals for public education, tax reform, affordable housing, and sustainable energy programs.

Click here for the full text of the Closing Day Remarks

  In response to recent reports that  many poor  families  in Hawaii must still pay income taxes despite poverty level incomes,  Senate President Bunda  repeated his call for a more  equitable income tax structure.  He contends that  raising the standard deduction to 50% of the federal level would benefit  60% of  Hawaii’s taxpayers, including those who need it most — poor and middle class families.