Senate passes $500M stimulus HONOLULU (AP) — A $500 million construction package aimed at stimulating job growth has cleared the state Senate. ADVERTISING The “Invest in Hawaii Act of 2012” would fund numerous capital improvement projects across the state. These
Senate passes $500M stimulus
HONOLULU (AP) — A $500 million construction package aimed at stimulating job growth has cleared the state Senate.
The “Invest in Hawaii Act of 2012” would fund numerous capital improvement projects across the state. These repair and maintenance projects would update aging infrastructure at state facilities and address health and safety concerns.
The bill focuses on funding projects that are ready to begin to avoid delay in creating much-needed construction work.
The capital improvement projects would also help Hawaii businesses that provide supplies and other support to the construction industry.
If the bill also clears the House, funding would be available for public works projects at schools, health centers and other state-owned properties.
Mayor, police chief are at odds
LIHUE, Kauai (AP) — Kauai isn’t letting Police Chief Darryl Perry return from leave and use his office, computer, or badge.
Perry said he ordered an assistant chief, Mark Begley, to open his office and reissue his equipment when he went to police headquarters on Wednesday.
But he says Begley replied the mayor and county attorney had issued direct orders not to do that.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. placed Perry on leave earlier this month while the county investigated an employee complaint.
Perry says only the county police commission has the authority to place him on leave, and the commission on Friday unanimously voted for him to return.
Carvalho says he has the authority to place Perry on leave and is comfortable defending that position in court.
BOE approves teacher evaluations
HONOLULU (AP) — The state Board of Education is approving proposals to make it board policy that the state change to a performance-based management system for teachers and principals.
The policy approved Tuesday must go through a “consult and confer” process with unions before it becomes final.
It would require the state Department of Education to adopt new evaluations for teachers and principals that take into account student academic growth, and to apply those evaluations to issues such as salaries, tenure and dismissal.
The department must roll out the new evaluations statewide in the 2013-14 school year, and must use the evaluations and “associated feedback” in personnel decisions by July 1, 2014.
