Small Business News
November 2005 | Online Edition
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
SBH continues to lead the effort to REPEAL Hawaii’s price fixing Gas Cap Law that went into effect September 1 and is the Democrats’ dream and small business and consumer nightmare. Particularly on the Neighbor Islands. Don’t forget the Democrat lawmakers who brought you this tax curse. But strangely, the Republican Governor (and Chamber) continue to let the Democrats get away with this capital punishment—and their lies about the free market. Governor Linda Lingle heeding Democrat legislative leader Marcus Oshiro’s call to join the FTC to investigate (again) oil companies’ pricing formulas and alleged “price gouging.” AG Mark Bennett aligned with more than a dozen other state AGs. What happened to the suspension of the law? What happened to a special session to repeal this abomination? When will government investigate itself and its tax gouging?
Meanwhile, pit bull State Rep. Bev Harbin (Downtown-Kakaako) appointed as a Democrat by the Governor to fill the vacancy created by Rep. Kenneth Hiraki’s resignation to join Hawaiian Telcom, continues to cause ripples as her tax problems, bad check conviction and other problems surface. She has refused to step down.
The State House made some committee changes and Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu (D-41) is the new chair of the House committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns for the 2006 Session beginning January 18. Former EDB Chair, Rep. Robert Herkes (D-5) will chair the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce (CPC).
Bankruptcy filings soared in Hawaii, like the Mainland, in anticipation of the new, tougher federal law that went into effect October 17. Several years ago, Hawaii led the nation in the rate of bankruptcies for 3 years.
Hawaii continues to enjoy the lowest unemployment rate (2.6%) in the nation. But just try to find someone to work!
Hawaii also moved up in the business climate index from 50th to 46th.
The groups that filed a lawsuit against the City for secret meetings, are on to something and if they succeed — still a long-shot — business conducted after the secret meetings, like the increase in the General Excise Tax—would be voided.
The Akaka Bill is dead. R.I.P.
Beer will still flow at Aloha Stadium.
Another study came out last month confirming that health insurance is becoming more elusive for small businesses. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) surveyed very small businesses (those employing 10 or fewer employees) on a range of health insurance issues, including affordability. A majority of the surveyed firms said that guaranteed coverage is cost-prohibitive for them. A majority of survey respondents (51.1%) say they do not currently offer, nor plan to offer, a health insurance plan through their business for themselves or their employees. The smallest companies are most impacted, with only 13.8% of companies that grossed less than $50,000 annually offering health insurance compared to 70% among those grossing more than $500,000 yearly. Cost continues to be the most important factor. Source: http://news.nase.org/pdf/NASE_Healthcare.pdf. Of course Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act mandates employers to pay costly premiums for employees.
Former pilot, POW, candidate for the state House (2004) and MidWeek writer, Gerald Coffee USN (Ret.) will be honored by the Navy League on Veterans Day, November 11 at the Hawaiian Village with the American Patriot Award. Former POWs Orson Swindle and Eduardo Alvarez come to honor Jerry, with the Mayor and Gov. PH 422-9404.
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii will hold its annual George Washington Awards Banquet on Friday, November 4 at the Hale Koa Hotel. Honorees this year: H. William & Sandra Puanani Burgess and Bob Watada. Keynote Speaker: Whitnel L. Ball, Co-founder, Donors Trust, Alexandria, VA. For information, contact Anna Maria at 591-9193.
How does Mayor Mufi Hannemann rate after one year? “A”. Yeah, we have our differences—notably the rail— but Mufi kept his promises, is accessible, and getting the job done. He has extra energy and uses it.
Rumor: defeated Mayoral candidate Duke Bainum is coming back to Hawaii to “enter politics” and to try and clear his wife’s name on the elder abuse issue (good luck!).
See you (early this month) Thursday, November 17 at the SBH Sunrise (Pineapple Room) to hear about “Branding” from experts Brook Gramann and Gloria Garvey.
Save Tuesday, December 20 for an SBH Holiday Party at Tiki’s Grill in Waikiki.
Don’t forget to regularly check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com for the most updated employer alerts and events.
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