Scitech Policy

Comment

Comment by keiki-pua dancil on March 10, 2010 at 12:59pm

HSTC is changing its position on HB2867 HD1. We will be neutral and submitting comments only. This bill is similar to HB2984 HD2 in that our membership is split.

Comment by keiki-pua dancil on February 28, 2010 at 5:51pm

HB2867 Relating to Taxation has been updated:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/bills/HB2867_HD1_.htm

Here is the description and title:
Report Title: Income Tax; Tax Credit Ceiling
Description: Reduces certain allowable tax credits for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010, and ending before January 1, 2012. Imposes a temporary tax ceiling for certain tax credits. (HB2867 HD1)

Here is the latest on status:
2/23/2010 H The committees on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) M. Oshiro, M. Lee, Aquino, Awana, Brower, Choy, Coffman, Har, Keith-Agaran, C. Lee, Nishimoto, Sagum, Tokioka, Wooley, Yamashita; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Finnegan; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
2/26/2010 H Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 531-10) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
2/26/2010 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting no (0) and Bertram, Souki, Thielen, Tokioka excused (4).

Comment by keiki-pua dancil on February 28, 2010 at 5:47pm

HB2984 Relating to Tax Credits has been updated. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/bills/HB2984_HD2_.htm

Here is the description and title:
Report Title: Tax Credit; Research Activities

Description:
Extends the tax credit for research activities for 1 year. Repeals remaining tax credit provisions of Act 221, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001. Effective July 1, 2020. (HB2984 HD2)

2/26/2010 Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 572-10) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2/26/2010 Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-02-10.

Comment by Ken Berkun on February 10, 2010 at 1:22pm

Since Google seems to be emphasizing communities, I have written an email to the Mayor. I would encourage you all to do the same.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann [mayor@honolulu.gov]

Ken

Comment by Mike Curtis on February 10, 2010 at 9:46am

Hey there Ken! I don't have a definitive answer for you but wanted to provide some thoughts/resources that might contribute to developing the right answer.

One indication of who in the Leg we should talk to would be the current bills relating to Broadband. See HB2698 - Broadband Task Force for the list of sponsors. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=hB&billnumber=2698

While the Governor might also be a natural place to check I worry that the candidates and even some 'friends of tech' running for LG might have more interest in this. Here I am thinking of Brian Shatz among others.

Let's not forget our congressional delegation...both those who are seated now and those wanting the job. They might see this as an opportunity to shine. On most every issue I place the best interest of the state above politics and so I suggest asking members of all parties to jump in and support!

Given the confluence of events that have Abercrombie in Congress and also wanting the Governor's job makes him a good agent for this.

My 2 cents...hope there is something there you can use.

Mike

Comment by Ken Berkun on February 10, 2010 at 9:12am

Google to build ultra-fast broadband networks

WASHINGTON – Google plans to build experimental, ultra-fast Internet networks in a handful of communities around the country.
The search company said Wednesday that its fiber-optic broadband networks will deliver speeds of 1 gigabit per second to as many as 500,000 Americans. Google Inc. says those systems will be more than 100 times faster than the networks that most Americans have access to today.
In a blog post, the company said the networks will let consumers download a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes and allow rural health clinics to send 3-D medical images over the Web.
Google says it will seek input from communities that might be interested in getting one of the testbed networks.

OK - WHO NEEDS TO CONTACT GOOGLE TO PROMOTE HONOLULU?
Who needs to take this to the legislature?
How do we make this happen?
Ken