Anxiety over the possibility of federal budget cuts was the backdrop for budget negotiations this year.

Potential cuts to staff and construction funds for the state library system also come amid ongoing uncertainty around federal support.

House Bill 126 was intended to require a conviction before property forfeiture is allowed.

HART rail board members hope to convince lawmakers to kill the bill. But it has a powerful supporter.

Lawmakers are considering whether the kauhale program deserves even more money and what controls to put on it.

The amount of fines imposed by judges has dropped, raising questions about whether lawmakers need to do anything.

The cuts by Hawaiʻi budget writers come as the University of Hawaiʻi faces major reductions in federal funds as well. UH had been hoping the state would help plug some of those holes.

Hawaiʻi is the only state that lacks legislative fiscal analysis of bills. This year lawmakers may take a step toward fixing that.

Buying the land could keep it out of developers’ hands forever but some say the $39 million price tag may be too hefty for Hawaiʻi.

Hundreds of measures hurtle toward the black hole of conference committee that waits at the end of every ridiculously short session. Solution? Full-time Legislature.