The House Finance Committee chair can be fearsome in budget briefings. She’s also not afraid to dive deep into state money matters, like the $3 billion tucked away in special funds.

Ford Fuchigami will have dual roles in the governor’s office, and former Chief of Staff Mike McCartney has been picked to lead the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

UPDATED: Disaster relief for Kauai and the Big Island and addressing illegal vacation rentals are also top priorities.

Some Hawaii senators say they aren’t inclined to confirm the governor’s choices for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Budget and Finance and the Department of Public Safety.

The Humane Society wants to overturn Hawaii’s prohibition on canines other than service animals in restaurants. Bad idea, says the health department.

“If we sold our house and got rid of all our debt and then tried to start afresh, we wouldn’t come back to Hawaii. There would be no way to come back.”

Hawaii homelessness has decreased two years in a row, said Scott Morishige, but legislators contend the administration isn’t spending money fast enough.

Legislative leaders shared some of their ideas for the upcoming session at a Civil Beat forum Thursday.

Lawmakers will tackle familiar issues like public school funding. They’re also likely to raise the minimum wage and might even legalize recreational marijuana.

The site of a proposed launch pad in Puna has not been revealed, but a preliminary possibility is described as “east or northeast of the macadamia nut farm.”

The ruling means Kurt Fevella will be sworn in as the state Senate’s only Republican when the Legislature convenes Jan. 16.

Hawaii County tacks a 0.25 percent surcharge onto the general excise tax and considers going higher.