Food stamp backlog tackled HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Human Services says it has introduced a new food stamps benefits processing system to address an applications backlog. ADVERTISING The department said on Tuesday it expects to be in
Food stamp backlog tackled
HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Human Services says it has introduced a new food stamps benefits processing system to address an applications backlog.
The department said on Tuesday it expects to be in full compliance with federal timelines for processing food stamp applications by December of this year. A lawsuit filed in 2010 on behalf of food stamp recipients asks a judge to require the department to process the vast majority of food stamp applications within 30 days as required by federal guidelines.
Hawaii had been processing about 78 percent of food stamp applications on time. The agency says between 78 percent and 88 percent of applications submitted on Maui and in Hilo have been processed within federal timelines since November.
Drug testing in public housing?
HONOLULU (AP) — A proposal to drug test public housing tenants is being touted as a way to clean up housing projects and stem losses from unpaid rent.
Housing Committee Chairwoman Rep. Rida Cabanilla says the state has absorbed more than $800,000 in unpaid rent from government-subsidized housing residents, who need to be held accountable.
Her panel amended House Bill 1855 Wednesday to clarify new applicants will be warned they’ll need to submit to a drug test before receiving a lease. In addition, the measure calls for testing 50 percent of current public housing tenants, with the exception of those who are elderly, disabled or younger than 15.
Sunshine Law changes mulled
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers are entertaining amendments to the state Sunshine Law to allow board members to attend public meetings, community events and professional association conferences without violating the open meetings law.
The House Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to advance a new draft of House Bill 1611 that will address only board members’ attendance at public gatherings not directly related to matters currently before the board.
Private discussion between board members on issues under deliberation or pending action will remain restricted.
The bill’s intent is to allow elected and appointed officials to attend more events for educational purposes, or to promote community participation and constituent services. After hearing strong opposition, the panel removed a provision that would have reduced the public meeting notice requirement to four days from six.
inimally invasive trans-catheter heart valve replacement.
The hospital also says it’s among the first in the nation to use this new technology on patients outside of clinical trials.
The Honolulu hospital announced Monday it has been selected as the only hospital in the state to offer the new treatment of aortic stenosis, a condition of the narrowing of the heart valve. Queen’s cardiologist Christian Spies says the treatment can improve the health of those who aren’t surgical candidates, compared to standard therapy.
Queen’s is also partnering with other Hawaii cardiac surgeons and cardiologists to form the Pacific Valve Consortium, which will help identify and treat patients who can benefit from the new procedure.
