June 23, 2020 - The Hawaii state Legislature reconvened Monday for its final weeks of session. Civil Beat community voice writer, Kim Coco Iwamoto, says "we are asking lawmakers to not squander this time and opportunity by simply reinforcing the failed status quo. We are looking for courageous leaders who will champion a new general plan for the islands which swiftly prioritizes our core assets, and provides the foundation for new economic value created locally."

The Working Families Coalition is recommending that the state create a temporary subsidy using CARES monies to address the gap of thousand employees who don't have health insurance or are at risk of losing insurance. Iwamoto supports the proposal and wants to expand it into a state-sponsored health program using a progressive tax.

Read more about the general plan Iwamoto is recommending for the state to commit to for our islands.