Lawmakers urgently needed to reach an agreement on the tax issue before they could move on to the state budget.

If the Legislature is going to end this year’s session on time, lawmakers must make some tough decisions this week. Insiders say there is no consensus yet.

Bills are advancing to prohibit face coverings, protect the right to record police and limit state cooperation.

A stack of bills under consideration by lawmakers would increase taxes or impose new levies on cars, liquor, real estate, capital gains and more.

The budget now passes to the Senate which will continue fine-tuning the state’s spending priorities for the coming fiscal year.

The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission has appointed a temporary replacement but filling Todd’s shoes within the State Fire Council presents a bigger challenge.

Joint fundraisers in odd-numbered years are more prevalent than they used to be.

Rep. Chris Todd thinks too many bills in past sessions have been referred to the Finance Committee he now chairs.

Legislators passed a bill late last session to dole out the money to help organizations hit with federal budget cuts.