In a rare public clash, Rep. Sylvia Luke grilled Sen. Lorraine Inouye over her draft bill to extend the GET surcharge an additional 10 years.

But industry groups say bills that mandate paid sick leave for workers and expand the state’s current family leave law will push prices higher.

J. Kalani English has already missed 12 days, partly because of trips to Fiji and Micronesia.

Bills to increase public input about new seawalls, ensure media access in disaster zones and protect lifeguards from lawsuits may die without negotiations.

Many other union contracts are still being negotiated, but David Ige is being praised by the teachers union after it reached a deal with the state.

Negotiations continue on the rail-tax measure during the secretive home stretch when Senate and House leaders meet in conference committees.

Advocates had high hopes at the Hawaii Legislature, but some condo bills died and others were watered down.

UPDATED But the full Senate will ultimately decide whether Tom Gorak’s appointment to the PUC will be confirmed.

But Honolulu would receive a smaller share of the surcharge while some money goes to the state highway fund. Will the House go for it?

A  bill letting online brokers serve as tax collectors is likely to pass, but lawmakers are still debating giving local governments more enforcement power.